What is DRM? The Ultimate Guide to Digital Rights Management & its Meaning

Theft issues become the wider challenge for an enormous amount of data drifting in the Information Highway. Data points on all sides of the world have been under monitoring publishers keep on stealing the content. Data protection and security are the most mandatory factors in the video industry.

Industries focus on protecting content, but theft cases occur to influence outcomes in revenue loss each year, hence the growing reliance on DRM software solutions. So, content builders make specialized decisions towards safeguarding and protecting the contents through Software-based security systems. But the development of OTT content raises its value and providers are demanding strong security specifications in the content-allowing agreements. This impacts the industries to implement an effective approach in the formation of Digital Rights Management technology.

Webnexs Solution offers specialized DRM technology that enables the secure handling of content and grants access to licensed users on allowed devices.

Meaning Of Digital Rights Management

What is DRM? Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a system that aims to safeguard digital content from unauthorized access, use, and distribution; for a comprehensive understanding, see the digital rights management definition. Its purpose is to prevent piracy and ensure that only licensed users can access digital content. Using DRM is prevalent across several industries, including music, movies, software, and e-books

It works by controlling the access to and use of digital content through various techniques, including encryption, digital watermarking, and access controls, but what’s DRM and how does DRM work? It ensures that only allowed users can access the content and that they do so within the terms of use specified by the content owner.

What is DRM?

Digital Rights Management is a requisite for content builders to preserve their rights. The level of protection in utilizing this technology is instinctively high for maintaining the salient contents. It actually restricts the copy or theft activities of your content by hackers. It assigns a distinct allowing server, stable player, and legalized digital rights to manage the content delivery.

Effective DRM involves a third-party authorization server to provide the decoding keys, a reliable domain to shield the keys, and wipe out with definite content virtue conveyed in the license key file. Also, it provides auxiliary protection by revolving keys, organizing with the confined system clock, and assisting with third-party output security blueprint.

Read more: How does Digital Rights Management work ?

Studio licensing specifications warrant they protect the premium contents from theft at every junction in the streaming servers. Organizations & Regulatory bodies, including GlobalPlatform and Secure Content Storage Association(SCSA) have provided allowed guidelines to help technology and devices to meet innovative security requirements. 

Webnexs Solution offers the studio-endorsed DRM to assist & protect your contents beneficially.

By featuring what is DRM content, it becomes possible to manage and control the approach and distribution of video and audio content, including large collections of digital copy-protection outlines. The motive of DRM is to shield the studio’s/creator’s rights.

What is DRM protected video mean?

A DRM protected video is the concept of protecting the digital content with the help of digital rights management technology. When you upload the video in the website there are chances for someone to download or misuse the content if it is not secured.

DRM technology ensures that the content is not copied, misused, or downloaded without the encryption key.

The Importance of DRM

Here are the reasons DRM (Digital Rights Management) is important:

1. DRM technology helps protect the intellectual property of creators by preventing unauthorized access, copying, and distribution of their work.
2. Content owners can use DRM to enforce licensing agreements and control distribution channels to generate revenue from their content.
3. It can encrypt content to prevent unauthorized access or distribution, protecting against piracy and theft.
4. Some industries, such as healthcare and finance, are required by law to protect sensitive information. It can help ensure compliance with regulations by protecting confidential data.
5. It can be used to limit access to content based on specific criteria, such as geography, subscription status, or payment history.
6. Provide creators with the flexibility to distribute content in various ways, such as streaming or downloading, while maintaining control over who can access it and how.
7. By providing a secure and reliable content delivery system, It can improve the user experience by ensuring that content is available to users when and where they need it.

Overall, It plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of content owners and ensuring the security and compliance of sensitive information.

Types of DRM

There are various types of DRM techniques used to protect digital content. These include:

1. Digital watermarking:

   Digital watermarking is one of the methods of DRM technology where the original source of the content will be embedded which helps to identify the content owner.
   If unauthorized copies are made for the content it will be helpful to track the copyright violations.

2. Encryption:

   Encryption is a method where the digital content will be unreadable for unauthorized users without the correct decryption key. This technique is frequently used to recognize copyrighted content and prevent unauthorized distribution.

3. Access controls:

   Access controls and multi-drm rights control are the key features of DRM service used to restrict the access of digital content.

These techniques include methods  such as password protection, user authentication, and digital certificates which ensures only authorized users access the digital content.

Benefits of DRM

Digital Rights Management offers several benefits for content creators and owners in order to protect their digital assets which includes;

1. Protection against piracy:

   DRM technology ensures that digital content is protected from unauthorized users from illegal downloads, copying or modifying the content with the help of encryption and access controls.

2. Control over the usage of content:

   DRM will be useful for the content creators to set the rules for their content which allows them to limit the number of times the content can be shared or copied, or set the control whether the content can be copied or modified.

3. Revenue protection:

   DRM helps the businesses by protecting the revenue from unauthorized users by blocking their access. DRM service ensures that only paid users have the access for the digital content and also ensures that the creators earn revenue for their work.

4. Tracking and analysis:

   DRM solutions provide creators with tracking capabilities which allow them to observe how their content is accessed and used. This helps them with the strategies and ideas to implement in the future to increase the user engagement.

Potential savings from adopting DRM

1. Reduced piracy losses:

   Determines the present annual losses. If unauthorized access is a major issue, DRM can reduce such losses by a significant percentage. For example; the company may assume that it has yearly piracy losses of $10million and expects DRM to reduce this by 20% then the savings would be $2million annually.

2. Increased revenue:

   Think of the increased consumer confidence that the DRM might bring in, leading to enhanced sales. If the firm expects 5% increase in sales due to DRM and current year’s sales are $50 million, then that would be $2.5 million in excess sales.

3. Operational Efficiency:

   Calculate how much DRM could automate everything from content delivery and management to security. This is a possible cost-cutting estimate if the business believes it can save $100,000 a year in operational expenditures by utilizing automation and protection.

How industries are benefited from DRM software

1. Media and entertainment industry:

   For the media and entertainment industry digital content is everything. They depend on the DRM software to prevent the leakage of content like movies, music and video games.  DRM ensures that the digital content is accessible only to the paid subscribers. The same is applicable to the publishing industry

2. Software industry:

   Software industry uses DRM to protect their software from illegal users. DRM ensures that only licensed users have the access for the software and prevents the revenue loss caused by the unlicensed users.

3. Financial services:

   Financial institutions like insurance companies, asset management companies depend on DRM solutions to protect the information of their clients and shareholders from unauthorized users. DRM also protects the downloaded files irrespective of where they are stored.

4. Subscription services:

   DRM is used by streaming services to restrict how many users or devices can access their content. This ensures that only paid subscribers can access the premium content.

Major Players in Digital Distribution Using DRM

Digital rights management plays a crucial role in digital distribution, some of the key players are:

• Adobe offers strong DRM solutions for e-book files and digital documents, and the company allows its creative users to be in control of their intellectual property. 
• Apple uses DRM within its internal systems. It uses it within the services such as iTunes and Apple Music and protects the content from unauthorized distribution. 
• Microsoft uses DRM through media services such as Azure Media Services.
• Amazon uses DRM to protect Kindle ebooks and streaming Prime Video content, further emphasizing its content creators. 
• Google combines DRM in all of its services- Google Play Movies & TV-so that content remains under the protection of a licensed user. Finally, Netflix relies heavily on DRM technology to provide for the proper management and protection of its subscribers’ ability to stream while strictly enforcing usage rules and the rights created by content owners.

These companies offer a means through which what is DRM impacts distribution for digital media, ensuring safe content flow and proper rights management across their specific sites

Cybersecurity challenges in media and entertainment

Media and entertainment companies face several unique cybersecurity challenges because of their business. With digital content becoming increasingly prevalent and valuable, these companies must be vigilant in protecting their intellectual property and sensitive information from cyber-attacks. Here are some of the biggest cybersecurity challenges facing the media and entertainment industry:

1. Intellectual property theft:

   The media and entertainment industry creates and distributes a lot of valuable intellectual property, including music, movies, TV shows, and video games. Cybercriminals can target these companies in order to steal this content and distribute it illegally, causing significant financial harm.

2. Phishing attacks:

   Cybercriminals can use phishing attacks to gain access to sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data. These attacks can be effective against employees in the media and entertainment industry, who may be more susceptible to clicking on malicious links or opening attachments in emails.

3. Ransomware attacks:

   Ransomware attacks can be particularly devastating for media and entertainment companies, as they can cause the loss of valuable intellectual property and the disruption of business operations. Sometimes, companies may even be forced to pay large ransoms in order to regain access to their data.

4. Insider threats:

   With so many people involved in the creation and distribution of digital content, media, and entertainment companies are vulnerable to insider threats. Employees with access to sensitive information can intentionally or unintentionally leak this information, potentially causing significant harm to the company.

5. Third-party risks:

   Media and entertainment companies often work with a variety of third-party vendors and partners, who may have access to sensitive information. These companies must be vigilant in ensuring that these partners have adequate cybersecurity measures in place to protect this information.

The Impact of DRM on Consumers:

1. User restriction: DRM technology limits consumer freedom on how digital content is meant to be used. For example, there could be a limitation on the number of copies of media that can be shared or even the transfer between a device. 
2. Privacy concerns: The customer may resent the fact that the viewing patterns, location, and other information of the customers may be recorded and traced
3. Higher cost: DRM will increase the price of digital content to consumers. Content providers tend to pass on the expense of software and enforcement by DRM to customers; therefore, content locked up with DRM is more expensive

Implementing multiple DRM:

Apply the protected way of content delivery system by combining multiple DRM services on a Digital rights management service. The service support is used to determine a varied DRM on every occasion by applying advanced logic barriers to switch between protocols depending on the client’s suggestion.

Webnexs Solution designs an integrated Multi-DRM system that projects on all kinds of devices, browsers, & domains for video piracy protection.

It depends on the agreement made by the content providers for implementing valuable services. Configure DRM’s for protecting digital contents in your library, also you have full access permission and admin virtue to the original copy of contents.

Hybrid Digital Right Management:

Combine well-cipher DRM support with effective software automation. This provides a specialized way to deliver strong security features. Many studios search for streaming providers in shielding & distributing the rights to their premium content. For higher security requirements, DRM’s arrived in hybrid – a mixture that uses both hardware/software components to protect content delivery.

A hybrid DRM merges the durability of hardware with the adaptability of software. In a hybrid solution, the most technical security function includes that we process the authentic digital copy of the content to protect hardware while the distribution condition is yet unchanged and unharmed. It also encourages the application of watermarking for digital footprints tracked and analyzed.

Latest trends in DRM technology:  

1. AI and Machine learning integration:

   The integration of Artificial intelligence and machine learning is increasing in popularity  which makes them predict and identify the piracy activities and unauthorized access of the content. AI based DRM can block illegal activities and reduce loss incurred due to piracy. It automates the decision making process, as well as saves the cost of manual monitoring.

2. Blockchain technology:

   Blockchain technology is being used in Digital Rights Management (DRM) to create secure, transparent, and unchangeable records of ownership and transactions for digital content. Blockchain enhances the traceability of content and decreases risks associated with modification of ownership records.

3. Cloud-based DRM solutions:

   This approach is more flexible and scalable for the companies to enforce digital rights. With the help of hosting the DRM services the companies can protect their content from anywhere in the world and manage efficiently. This approach saves significant costs on infrastructure, and also allows to implement the ideas of content protection faster.

4. Enhanced User Experience:

   The more mature the DRM systems become, it is more crucial to  provide a user-friendly experience that reduces the interruption  of DRM controls while maintaining strong content protection. By improving the user experience, businesses can eliminate the frustration associated with the DRM like restricted access and frequent re-authentication.

5. Cross platform compatibility: W

   hen a user interacts with content on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs or laptops; the DRM solution is evolving to ensure protection across multiple platforms. This feature increases the user flexibility which ensures that the user can access the content on any device seamlessly  while maintaining the content protection.

6. Focus on data privacy compliance:

   With the emergence of General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act(CCPA), DRM systems start incorporating the features which meet the requirements of privacy laws. Implementation of Data privacy compliance in DRM system safeguards the business from legal penalties and fines while building consumer trust.

7. Streaming service security:

   With the current dominance of streaming services in media consumption it is important to enhance the DRM for video, music and live content. Some of the emerging advanced DRM technologies include Digital Watermarking and secure encryption.  Improved streaming security helps in reducing the piracy of content and revenue losses incurred in an industry which requires real-time access to media.

8. Subscription-based models: 

   Subscription based content distribution models are growing and DRM changes to accommodate these kinds of models. The flexible DRM solution is required to manage content access based on time, usage limits and device restrictions. DRM ensures monetization within the subscription based models since it ensures that the content is utilized as planned and not shared illegally. 

Signs of DRM issues while using Netflix, Amazon prime, Hotstar, Mac,etc:

• Black screen with audio playback.
• No sound but title plays.
• Some content is not available on certain devices.
• Video is of poor quality even at the high speed of the internet.
• The video freezes or skips.
• Issues when trying to download the content to watch online.
• Frequent buffering and streaming interruptions.

Fix DR-1100 error on Android Phone & TV:

• Ensure to update the streaming platform to the latest version.
• Check whether you are using a stable internet connection.
• Restart your android phone or TV.
• Clear the cache stored in the app.
• Uninstall and reinstall the app to fix any issues.

Netflix Error N8156 6013:

Netflix error N8156 6013 indicates that the netflix has an issue with the silverlight plugin, which they use to stream the content on certain browsers.

This issue is usually related with Digital Rights Management(DRM) or possibly any corrupted files.

This error can be resolved  by ensuring that the browser is updated, clearing the cache and browser cookies, uninstalling and reinstalling the silverlight plugin.

CONCLUSION:

It is better to implement allowed DRM technology and effective watermarking features to safeguard your valuable content. Webnexs Solution executes the coherent DRM feature for sheltering the contents and avoids theft & encroachment for ensuring stable content delivery and generates frequent rewards for the streaming business.