While the number of users of video content and video distribution services is increasing rapidly, problems such as copyright infringement by content holders are becoming more apparent. In this context, the content protection technology known as “DRM (Digital Rights Management)” is attracting attention. In this article, we will explain the background to the need for DRM in video distribution.
## What is DRM, the technology that protects content from copyright infringement in video distribution?
DRM is an abbreviation for Digital Rights Management. It is a generic term for a system that restricts the use and reproduction of content in order to prevent the rights of content holders, such as copyrights, from being infringed upon.
It is used for access control technology to protect content from infringement, and for controlling the use, reproduction, modification, distribution of content and the policies for these. It is not a very common term, but it is a relatively familiar technology used when downloading OTT services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc., which have spread rapidly in recent years, and e-books.
DRM is a technology used for all digital content, so it is used not only for videos, but also for music, audio, e-books, PDFs, etc.
## Why is there a growing need for DRM?
DRM is a technology that has been used for some time in DVDs and blogs, so it is not new. Originally, DRM was a technology widely used in video distribution by media-related companies that handle Hollywood movies with strict licensing management. However, in recent years, video distribution has become more common with the rapid spread of e-learning and OTT services, and as attention has increased regarding security and rights protection for video content, the number of content holders and companies considering using DRM has increased rapidly.
For example, many well-known OTT services utilize DRM technology, and by using DRM it is possible to control the use, duplication, modification, and distribution of video content, and to protect copyrights.
Against this background, DRM was a technology that was widely used in the media industry, but due to the rapid increase in demand for video content as a result of the spread of the new coronavirus, and the increase in the number of companies moving their seminars and training, which were previously held in closed venues, online, there has been an increase in inquiries from industries other than media from the perspective of protecting content from infringement.
For example, if video content from seminars for medical professionals held by pharmaceutical companies or financial seminars that teach investment know-how for a fee is illegally copied and distributed, it could lead to lost opportunities and information leaks.
In the above situation, DRM is a measure that content holders should consider in order to protect video content. I will introduce the details in the next column, but there is one important point that is fundamentally different from other content protection methods. That is, before playing the content, the DRM license server must approve the request. This means that playback is not possible unless the correct procedure is followed to obtain the license key, and it is possible to provide high security.
