[Satellite Today 07-15-09] Canal Plus Group signed a multi-year licensing agreement for Macrovision’s electronic program guide (EPG) patent portfolio, the company said July 13. 

The agreement allows Canal Plus to use Macrovision’s licensed intellectual property in EPGs deployed on Canal Plus’ various platforms. Canal Plus is licensing Macrovision’s technology under an existing agreement between NDS and Macrovision on EPG patents. 

A number of other direct-to-home operators have joined forces with Macrovison in this area. Canal Plus Group joins BSkyB, Foxtel, Portugal Telecom, Sky Italia and UPC Broadband on Macrovision’s list of licensed pay-TV operators.