"Late last week the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) pulled an Ace out of its sleeve and announced that not only will they support the Advanced Access Content System (AACS), just like HD DVD, but that they're adding two more weapons in the fight against piracy: BD+ and ROM-Mark. The ploy seems to have worked, because not only did it net them Twentieth Century Fox, but this week two other companies have hopped on board with Blu-ray.

Earlier this week Universal Music Group said that they would adopt Blu-ray as the standard for their next-generation audio discs—a nice catch for the BDA. Even better, Lion's Gate Home Entertainment today said that they, too, want on the Blu-ray bandwagon.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 17 /CNW/ -- Lions Gate Home Entertainment (LGHE), a division of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF; Toronto), announced today that it will release content on the new high definition Blu-ray Disc format. As part of its cooperation with the Blu-ray Disc Association, LGHE will begin releasing new films, TV programming and other titles from the company's vast library in that format when Blu-ray hardware launches in North America.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, and Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Disney) were all previously on board. Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures has put their HD DVD plans on hold, and NBC Universal has scaled back their release plans for the holiday. Among the big hitters in the computing industry, Apple, Dell, Sony (obviously), HP, and Philips (among others) remain committed to Blu-ray. HD DVD's backing is considerably weaker, although Microsoft's role in HD DVD remains unclear. Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, and Universal Pictures are still officially supporting HD DVD. For now.

Will Toshiba throw in the towel, or are we headed for another VHS versus Betamax battle?"