Audio MPEG, Inc. is responsible for one of the most successful technology licensing programs in history. The technology covered by the MPEG Audio patents includes encoding and decoding devices and processes, and forms the backbone of the MPEG Audio standard, which is essential to the existence of MP3 players and crucial to the operation of many other consumer electronics devices including, but not limited to set-top boxes, digital TV cards, digital TV sets, sound boards for computers, MP3 players, cellular telephones, computers, home theatres, multimedia players, sound systems, car stereos, digital cameras, navigation systems, digital photo frames, and DVD players. Since its inception, Audio MPEG, Inc. has licensed thousands of consumer electronic manufacturers and other companies across the world for the right to utilize the technology covered by the Audio MPEG, Inc. patents, realizing substantial royalty revenue for the patent owners.