Dolby Laboratories has acquired Imm Sound for an undisclosed sum, the companies said Monday.
Based in Spain and privately held, Imm Sound has been rolling out immersive sound systems in movie theaters in the United States, Korea, Italy and Ireland over the past year. The purchase expands Dolby's global footprint and locks up marketshare in the digital sound space.
Dolby will retain the Imm office and development team based in Barcelona, a company spokesman said.
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"Dolby and Imm Sound share complementary expertise and solutions and we look forward to working together to bring amazing experiences to the cinema," a Dolby spokesman told TheWrap in a statement. "We are impressed by what Imm Sound has accomplished and look forward to working together to deliver the best technology in a single format, for the best audience experience."
Dolby has been hard at work touting its new Dolby Atmos system as an upgrade from previous surround-sound speaker platforms. It says the new technology allows theaters to have more control of sound movement. The system is now available in roughly 20 theaters across the globe.
Dolby also made a splash last spring by securing naming rights to the Hollywood and Highland property that hosts the Academy Awards. Formerly called the Kodak, the venue has now been rechristened the Dolby Theater.