According to media technology services provider Farncombe, the new types of devices consumers want to use for viewing TV, such as tablets and smartphones, use Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies to secure content because they are not built for the traditional broadcast environment.

Noting this reality, the firm has published a white paper designed to help the TV industry understand and address the complexities involved in securing content in the new multiscreen OTT environment using DRM solutions.

Commissioned by media protection, multiscreen and revenue assurance solutions specialist Irdeto, the white paper focuses on the recent shift in the TV market towards the adoption of DRM-based content protection solutions and assesses the main drivers for this change, taking an in-depth look at the business and technology implications for operators seeking to adopt a DRM approach.

The white paper highlights the differences between content protection solutions using DRM or Conditional Access in terms of the way in which they are sold, the bundling of associated services and their use of mandated hardware-based proprietary scrambling algorithms. The paper also argues that the standard DRM business model leaves responsibility for implementation and maintenance of security in the hands of the operator or OEM, leaving a gap in the market for security solution providers to fill – but only when that gap is properly identified and understood.

“The reality is that the new types of devices consumers want to use for viewing TV, such as tablets and smartphones, use DRM technologies to secure content because they are not built for the traditional broadcast environment,” said Andrew Glasspool, Managing Partner, Farncombe. “Knowing whether it is necessary to invest in robust DRM and player implementations and how these might be delivered and maintained is presenting a challenge to the industry and an opportunity for providers of a new range of security services. This new white paper provides a high-level guide to some of the complex security issues involved, and how they can be pragmatically addressed.”

“In today’s TV everywhere landscape, the complexity of content distribution is increasing exponentially, and piracy is evolving at an even faster rate. It is more critical and difficult than ever for pay media companies and content owners to protect their valuable assets and investments against emerging threats, as the impact on their business is often global and immediate,” said Andrew Wajs, chief technology officer, Irdeto. “The key to effective media security lies in staying ahead of the ever-changing piracy threats through a holistic protection strategy involving innovative, end-to-end technologies with trusted partners. We are pleased to work with Farncombe to examine this critical issue in greater detail, delivering key decision-making insights for operators during this industry evolution.”

Topics covered by the white paper include:

• Analysis of the market
• The main differences between CA and DRM
• The changing nature of content piracy
• Cost implications
• Different ways of implementing DRM
• Recommendations for DRM adopters

Categories: Articles, CA/DRM, Content, Piracy, Rights