Imax and United Cinemas Enter Joint Venture Partnership for Theatres in Japan

Toronto-based entertainment technology company, Imax Corporation, and United Cinemas Co. of Japan, announced a joint venture agreement to install up to five digital Imax theatre systems in Japan. Three of the systems are confirmed, with two scheduled to be installed in time for the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this November, and the third scheduled to be installed in either late 2010 or in 2011. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will have an option to install two additional Imax theatre systems in Japan at a later date. The deal brings the total number of confirmed joint-venture Imax theatres scheduled to be operating in Japan by the end of 2010 to eight. United Cinemas Co. Ltd. is a movie theater chain in Japan with 218 screens and is owned by Sumitomo Corporation.