A month ago, China announced plans to develop its own next-generation DVD standard to break the monopoly of foreign companies and avoid paying heavy licensing fees. DVD Forum, the international standard authority, gave its approval to the move.

The DVD Forum gave its approval few weeks ago for a feasibility study to be conducted on the proposed China-only HD- DVD standard.

China intends to add a new wrinkle to the battle between the competing HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc formats over which will become the dominant new DVD standard.

Find out why China decided to develop its own DVD format at http://www.cio-today.com/news/China-Moves-for-Its-Own-DVD-Format/story.xhtml?story_id=101003E02KN8.