The founders of Advanced Access Content System (AACS) founders IBM, Intel Corp., Microsoft, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Sony, Toshiba, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Studios announced the immediate availability of AACS under interim licensing agreements.

Advanced Access Content System is a specification for managing content stored on the next generation of prerecorded and recorded optical media such as Blu-Ray and HD DVD for consumer use with personal computers (PCs) and consumer electronics (CE) devices. Advanced Access Content System is being designed to support the ability to make recordings of content, as authorized. Additionally, the technology will support expanded flexibility in accessing, managing and, through interoperability, transferring content within a standalone or networked environment.

“While next generation HD players are in final assembly, and movies are being mastered, the AACS architects are ensuring consumers can enjoy the HD picture, sound and robust portability potential of AACS without any further delays. Much more than just HD movies, AACS delivers new consumer interactivity, portability and feature enhancement after purchase on a scale like no other consumer digital entertainment system can,” said Richard Doherty, research director for the Envisioneering Group.

The final license agreement for AACS is expected to be announced in the coming months.  In the meantime, companies in the consumer electronics, IT and entertainment industries are now able to develop devices and solutions based on the published specs and compliance rules.

“AACS represents a cross-industry team of chip, consumer electronics, PC designers and content creators, all dedicated to enriching the consumer’s home and portable entertainment experience,” Mr. Doherty said.