Europe’s competition watchdog has launched a fresh probe into allegations of possible market rigging in the war between Blu-ray and HD DVD, the two competing next-generation film disc formats.

The European Commission sent requests for information to “several major Hollywood studios” in the second half of June, a spokeswoman said.

It is searching for any hints that talks between the studios and the groups behind the formats have given rise to arrangements that could be obstacles to free competition and illegal under European law.

The studios approached have until Friday to respond.

The investigation is understood to centre on exclusivity deals linked to the Blu-ray format, which is being championed by Sony.

The focus on Blu-ray’s relationships with its studios marks an apparent focusing of the commission’s investigation after the watchdog sent letters to both Blu-ray and HD DVD last year asking for information on their licensing practices.

Blu-ray leads HD DVD, which is backed by Toshiba, in terms of Hollywood support, having won the exclusive backing of five studios: Sony, Walt Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Lions Gate Entertainment and MGM.

By contrast, only Universal has opted to back HD DVD exclusively. Paramount and Warner Bros are making films available on both formats.

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