Hewlett-Packard Company has entered into an agreement with Lite-On IT Corporation, a leading IT company manufacturing high-quality ODD products, to deliver HP-branded DVD writer solutions worldwide.

Through this arrangement, Lite-On IT has become an authorized agent to ship DVD writer solutions under the HP brand. Lite-On IT will have the responsibility for all aspects of bringing DVD solutions to the consumer and commercial marketplace. Lite-On IT will manufacture, qualify, market, support and distribute HP-branded optical drive solutions under HP's strict quality and branding standards. Lite-On IT will use its own established channel to distribute HP branded DVD drives in EMEA.

HP will retain ownership of the product roadmap, go-to-market plan, and customer satisfaction. HP will participate in customer meetings and will test and qualify all optical drive solutions to ensure a high-quality product, and HP will continue to invest in research and development and provide intellectual property for future products. All future products will continue to be protected under the HP brand with HP standards of quality and testing.

HP's current portfolio of DVD writer solutions will continue to be managed through HP's traditional processes until their end of life. Lite-On IT will begin the sell-in process for the next generation of DVD writers featuring the new LightScribe technology. The first aftermarket products through the agreement with Lite-On IT will be introduced throughout Europe in March 2005.

The strength of this agreement comes from Lite-On IT?s long-term experience in the DVD market in Europe and its strong channel presence, together with HP?s position as the #1 brand in the consumer desktop, portable and printing market. With this move, the companies will be able to increase focus on the consumer market while continuing to serve HP's cooperate customers.

Altogether, the new agreement makes Lite-On IT and HP #1 in the global DVD drive market.

The first HP-branded DVD writer solution from Lite-On will be the HP dvd640i DVD Writer. This LightScribe enabled, 16X, double-layer, dual-format DVD writer is scheduled to be available on retail shelves in March 2005.