In recent days, most animated or CGI-including movies are shown in theaters with a 3D option, if not limited to that form. Many non-3D movies are even returning to theaters decades later but with a 3D adjustment-- either to increase the hype for an upcoming sequel or simply to squeeze out more money.
Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo, and Jurassic Park are all examples of the former, with Monster's University, Finding Dory, and Jurassic Park IV scheduled for release in the near future.
But for Disney, 3D technology may come with a higher price. Many years ago, the patent for 3D conversion was secured by a company called In-Three, which was eventually bought by James Cameron's company Digital Domain, which filed for bankruptcy last year. Digital Domain had to sell many of its assets to other companies, including the 3D conversion tech.
Disney, which first used In-Three's conversion technology to make "G-Force," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Tron: Legacy," fears that they may be sued by whatever new company purchases the rights to that tech, should Disney continue to use it themselves.
"The G-Force Agreement," the contract designed at the creation of those films, may not be enough to protect Disney. The contract states that "should the patent change hands, [Disney] wouldn't be charged and couldn't be sued for using the product," but the contract fails to account for past projects adapted and re-released. To make matters more difficult for Disney, a Delaware bankruptcy judge recently ruled that Disney should be held financially responsible for continuing to use the In-Three technology to convert 2D films into 3D.
Disney filed an "emergency stay" in an attempt to overturn that ruling, and another judge stayed the patent sale by 45 days, prompting Disney to put up a $5.4 million dollar bond.
It's currently unclear whether Disney will be able to continue using the technology freely without additional settlement, but considering the wealth of the Disney empire, Disney can probably afford it.
In somewhat related news, 3D movies can be viewed in regular 2D with these inexpensive special glasses:
This was super informative. I didn't know patent issues were plaguing the 3D industry like they are with everything else. I'm sure Disney will come out on top, since there's no way they'll keep us from seeing our beloved monsters and fish in all their intended dimensions. I'm just hoping the technology improves enough so we don't need to wear glasses or get headaches. Maybe holograms...that would be cool.
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