Blank CD and DVD manufacturer Verbatim has signed an agreement with Hewlett-Packard to make discs for HP's LightScribe technology, which lets computers label discs. With the LightScribe technology, the drive's laser that ordinarily reads and writes data also can print labels on specially prepared discs.
HP is betting that LightScribe will be more appealing than writing labels by hand or using special printing methods. The company had hoped to introduce LightScribe drives this year, but pushed the date back to 2005. Other licensed LightScribe disc makers include CMC Magnetics, Mitsubishi Chemical, Moser Baer India, Imation and Memorex.