COMPACT DISC PACT ENDS LEGAL, TECHNICAL IMPASSE.

Byline: Associated Press 

Movie studios and consumer electronics manufacturers have resolved copyright and production disputes that threatened the rollout of advanced compact discs this fall.

The Motion Picture Association of America and Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association on Friday announced an agreement for revising copyright laws for digital recordings. They will take their ideas to Congress and press for speedy legislation.

Separately, manufacturers have agreed on a technical method to produce the new compact discs, known as DVDs. They look like today's CDs but can hold seven to 14 times as much information, enough for several record albums or a full-length motion picture.

For several weeks, worries have been growing that the disputes may prevent DVDs from coming to market this fall. Some consumer electronics executives have even said privately the first DVDs may not arrive until after the holiday season.

Many consumer electronics firms have been touting the new discs, and the machines that will play them, as the next big product for the industry.

While the new agreements don't guarantee DVDs will be on store shelves this fall, they are an important step forward, officials said. Manufacturers such as Toshiba, Thomson and Sony are preparing to sell machines for $250 to $500 that will play the new discs. They will also be able to play existing CDs.