EU to assess film studios’ pick of rival DVD formats

The European Commission said Tuesday that it had asked several Hollywood studios to explain why they chose either the Blue-ray disc or HD DVD format for movie discs to see whether they were breaking European Union rules that bar companies from shutting out rivals.

The Sony Corp.-backed Blu-ray format has won strong support from Hollywood. Walt Disney Co., News Corp.’s 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures have released Blu-ray discs but not the competing HD DVDs, developed by a consortium led by Toshiba Corp.

General Electric Co.’s Universal Studios releases high-definition movies exclusively on HD DVD -- the only major studio to do so.

EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said regulators were merely looking for information on how studios choose the technology format for their film releases and had not accused the companies of violating antitrust law.

“We are currently fact-finding and have sent requests for information to a number of Hollywood studios,” Todd said, refusing to name the companies. “It is not a formal investigation.”

Todd said the EU was acting on its own initiative and had not received complaints. The EU’s executive arm has asked for replies by Friday.

The studios’ stalemate means movie lovers seeking many hit films have to opt for either Blu-ray or HD DVD. Only Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. and Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures are releasing movies in both formats.

All but the most adventurous consumers have stayed away from choosing sides in the battle for fear of being stuck with the losing technology.