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The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
December 18,2002
Matsushita and Sony to Collaborate on Development of Linux Platform
for Digital Home Electronic Devices
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
Ltd. (Panasonic) and Sony Corporation today announced their
agreement to work in partnership on the development of an
enhanced Linux®*1 platform for digital home electronic devices.
The companies will aim to apply the fruits of their collaboration
to their AV (audio visual) products and to make the source
code*2 available to the public for free in order to encourage
its broader use throughout the industry.
While Linux is well known as an operating system for personal
computers and servers, today it is also finding applications
in the area of digital home devices. Therefore, users expect
even shorter start-up times and improved response. The two
companies plan to study the functions and performance required
for digital home electronic devices, and develop a Linux
platform that meets those requirements.
Matsushita and Sony will evaluate the suitability of the
newly developed version of Linux as one of the platforms
for digital home electronic devices such as portable and
home AV products.
As with earlier versions of Linux, the newly developed source
code will be publicized freely under the General Public
License (GPL)*3, which permits free usage and modification.
This co-development program can further promote technological
advancement and wider application of Linux through free
exchange of ideas within the open source community,
The two companies are considering the establishment of a
forum group based on the results of this co-development
with other electronics companies in order to expand these
activities. Further details will be discussed with the companies
supporting this idea such as Hitachi, Ltd., IBM Corporation,
NEC Electronics Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics,
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and Sharp Corporation.
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*1 |
Linux:
a Unix compatible open source operating system created
in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, then a graduate student
at the University of Helsinki. Under the General Public
License, the source code is freely distributed and
available to the general public, with engineers around
the world extending and maintaining it on a voluntary
basis. |
| *2
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Source
Code: a computer program describing software algorithm
written in source language |
| *3
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GPL
(General Public License): a written license scheme
based upon the principles established by the Free
Software Foundation (FSF), a non-profit organization
founded by Richard Stallman to promote free distribution
of software. |
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Linux®
is a registered trademark owned by Linus Torvalds.
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About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for
its Panasonic, National, Technics, and Quasar brand names,
is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture
of electronics products for a wide range of consumer, business,
and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company
recorded consolidated sales of US$51.70 billion for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. In addition to the Tokyo
and other Japanese stock exchanges, Matsushita's shares
are also listed on the Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt,
New York, Pacific, and Paris stock exchanges. For more information,
please visit Matsushita web site at http://panasonic.net/
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video,
game, communications and information technology products
for the consumer and professional markets. With its music,
pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses,
Sony is uniquely positioned to be a leading personal broadband
entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated
annual sales of nearly $57 billion for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2002. Sony's Home Page URL: http://www.sony.net/
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