Dolby Laboratories Reinforces Licensing Business with Acquisition of GE Licensing

Dolby Laboratories announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GE Licensing, which owns, maintains, and licenses an extensive portfolio of intellectual property (IP), primarily targeting the consumer digital media and electronics sectors. GE Licensing is responsible for more than 5,000 patents, including important digital media technologies such as the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) and VVC (Versatile Video Coding) video and audio encoding technologies.

Madison Square Garden (MSG), became a partner and shareholder of Holoplot GmbH in 2018, when the two companies partnered to implement the sound system that equipped the Sphere in Las Vegas. In 2023, MSG spun-off its traditional live entertainment businesses and created Sphere Entertainment. Now, Sphere Entertainment acquired all of the remaining Holoplot shares it did not previously own. The Berlin-based Wavefield Synthesis and 3D audio pioneer will continue to operate as a separate company.

Resideo Technologies, a manufacturer and distributor of security and audiovisual products and solutions, and Snap One Holdings Corp., the agglomerate company that acquired Control4 and offers all types of products and services to professional integrators, have announced a definitive agreement for Resideo to acquire Snap One for $10.75 per share in cash and a transaction value of approximately $1.4 billion, inclusive of net debt. Upon closing, Snap One will integrate into Resideo's ADI Global Distribution business.

Microchip Technology has acquired Neuronix AI Labs to expand its capabilities for power-efficient, AI-enabled edge solutions deployed on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Microchip’s mid-range PolarFire FPGAs and SoCs already lead the industry in terms of low power consumption, reliability and security capabilities. The acquisition of this technology will enable Microchip to develop cost-effective, large-scale edge deployments for use in applications on systems that have cost, size and power constraints and enable a multifold increase in AI/ML processing horsepower on low and mid-range FPGAs.

Digigram has acquired Grenoble-based OROS, also a French company specializing in noise and vibration testing systems. This acquisition by the audio over IP solutions company expands the Digigram Group's build-up strategy focused on critical audio applications. OROS high end solutions meet the requirements and expectations of automotive, aerospace, marine energy & process, manufacturing and automation industries. The amount of the transaction has not been disclosed.

Meyer Sound announced the acquisition of a company called Audio Rhapsody (not to be confused with high-end audio equipment supplier Rhapsody.Audio), which is in fact a business founded by acclaimed sound designer Jonathan Deans of Broadway and Las Vegas fame. With the acquisition, Meyer Sound strengthens its position in theater sound solutions, utilizing Deans’ expertise to develop software solutions to expand the company’s portfolio of integrated digital systems.

Renesas Electronics announced an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of the global leader in electronics design systems, Altium. The announcement, with important repercussions for product developers globally, enables Renesas to create a system-level integrated and open electronics system design and lifecycle management platform, leveraging Altium’s popular design software and cloud platform capabilities to increase innovation and overall productivity.

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS), a global company specializing in high-performance power solutions announced the acquisition of Axign B.V., the Netherlands-based fabless semiconductor startup that specializes in programmable multicore DSP (digital signal processors) and developed the innovative post-filter feedback loop technology for Class-D amplifiers with balanced feedback from the loudspeaker. An exciting development for the small Dutch company and for the audio industry.

AtlasIED continues to execute on its ambitions to expand its presence in the commercial audio industry. At the ISE 2024 show in Barcelona the company announced that it acquired a significant equity stake in German high-performance loudspeaker manufacturer, Aimline. The investment brings the Aimline line of column loudspeakers into the AtlasIED product portfolio, allowing it to compete in the beam steering space.

The world of simulation and analysis software is about to be turned on its head with Synopsys announcing the intention to acquire Ansys. According to the Californian semiconductor technology company, the acquisition of the American multinational, a leader in CAE/multiphysics engineering simulation software for product design, testing and operation meets a growing need to accelerate Synopsys' Silicon to Systems strategy.