The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the trade group for the US movie industry, said Tuesday it has settled lawsuits with a company which made DVD-copying software.

The MPAA said that the founders of 321 Studios would make "a substantial financial payment" to the studios in addition to an agreement to stop selling its software, which the MPAA said infringes on the films' copyright.

The payment will be used to help Hollywood's ongoing aggressiveanti-piracy program, the MPAA said.

Two weeks ago, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction,sought by three major video game publishers, to block the sale of 321's "Games X Copy" program.

Initially, 321 Studios sued the studios in early 2002, seeking a determination that its DVD-copying software was legal.

The MPAA later counter-sued 321 Studios. Tuesday's settlement closes cases in California, New York and Great Britain.

Source: Xinhua