What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?

DRM uses technologies that prevent the usage of proprietary software and copyrighted works. Companies use DRM to prevent unauthorized usage of official data published on public and private platforms on the internet. DRM plays a crucial role in data security. 

Problems faced in DRM

Viewers use different devices and web browsers throughout the globe to access video content. OTT platforms use different DRMs for each platform which creates incompatibility. Managing this is a costly affair and the solution to this problem is to use a cloud-based multi-DRM service that can be utilized across different devices and browsers. 

Secure OTT video platform using multi-DRM

If you are wondering how to protect video content, here’s the answer. There is a DRM system for each device and video content should comply with the DRM system to be streamed on that specific device. It could be a laptop, desktop, different browsers, TV, tablet, iOS, Android, TV, or gaming console. To avoid the complicated process of ensuring that every video file complies with all the DRM systems to stream on all platforms and devices, businesses can use a multi-DRM system that complies with all the devices and platforms. 

Well-known DRM systems

• Microsoft PlayReady

Microsoft Play Ready DRM system is developed and maintained by Microsoft for OTT security. It uses WRMHEADER tag objects as metadata format. It is compatible with TVs, set-top boxes, and Windows OS.

• Apple FairPlay

Apple FairPlay is developed and maintained by Apple Inc for OTT solution security. It is compatible with the Safari browser and can be used only on Apple devices. 

• Google Widevine

Google Widevine is developed and maintained by Widevine Technologies that is purchased by Google. It is compatible with Google Chrome browser, Chrome devices, Roku, Android devices, and Smart TVs and provides security on OTT solutions.

• Adobe PrimeTime DRM

Adobe PrimeTime DRM is developed and maintained by Adobe. It is compatible with Android, iOS, Xbox, Windows, Roku, and Mac devices to secure OTT video platforms.  

• Marlin DRM

Marlin DRM is developed by the Marlin Developer Community (MDC). It can deliver video content that is compatible across all devices and all web browsers for secure OTT content delivery. 

• CMLA-OMA

Content Management License Administrator (CMLA) Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) DRM system was developed by the Open Mobile Alliance. It is compatible with castLabs video player SDKs.

Advantages of DRM systems

• Businesses can communicate with users about the copyright of video content

For businesses to sustain and grow in the competitive market, they should be available on all the platforms, devices, and browsers to be accessible to their target audience. The only concern viewers have is that they should be able to access their favorite content at any time and on any device without any issue. Using the DRM system, businesses can communicate about copyright and intellectual property rights to the users. 

• Encourage businesses to adopt new technology

DRM system controls how the viewers interact with the audio and video files on the OTT platforms. It could be accessing OTT content on different devices or sharing the content with other users through different mediums. Viewers who do not wish to be restricted by such measures opt for OTT platforms that do not have DRM systems in place thereby allowing the viewers to access the content in any way they like. This encourages businesses to adapt new technology to secure their content online. 

• Generate revenue

Businesses create videos and publish them online to engage with their existing audience, attract new audiences and convert them into sales. But video content on the OTT platform is created for the sole purpose of generating revenue. DRM system allows only paid customers to access OTT content using secure user login access. It can also be used to allow viewership of video content to certain geographies and age groups. 

• Restricts duplication of video content online

DRM secures video content online and the business has full ownership of the material owing to the copyright. Any duplication of copyrighted content is considered illegal and can be taken up for a lawful trial. 

• Restricts unethical file sharing

Only paid users have legal access to the video content on the OTT platform. If the paid user tries to download and share the video content with unpaid users, it is considered unethical. Any such incident that is brought to light can be taken up by the business officially and a case can be filed against the user who shared the file unethically. 

• Offers parental controls to users

Since work from home has become standard in several parts of the world, children also access OTT content for entertainment. To monitor the content consumed by users less than 18 years of age, parents can create separate login access for children in the same account. Content can be restricted under the child account by the parent. 

• Control access to confidential and sensitive information 

Businesses can protect the confidential and sensitive information of their company on the internet using the DRM system. They can choose who can read which information and when. Since business is in control of what the user can view and create filters based on several factors, the chances of malpractice with sensitive information are reduced to a great extent. 

• Increases brand value

Building a brand on the internet is as important as building a brand offline. With all the businesses going online, it is essential to create a strong rapport with the existing audience and build a strong brand. OTT platforms have several features to brand each video content before publishing it on the best OTT platform. This creates immense brand value. Protecting the usage of such video content increases the value of the brand. 

Conclusion 

To reap the benefits of the multi-DRM system all businesses producing OTT content should implement it. Using advanced solutions such as multi-DRM helps OTT platform owners to increase accessibility, ensure the integrity of content, and effectively monetize their video content.