Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a tech tool that safeguards digital content. Think of it as a digital lock, keeping unauthorized users away from your precious media files.
DRM can even detect if someone’s trying to record a stream, although tech-savvy users might find ways around it. Still, DRM plays a crucial role in curbing piracy.
In this article, we’ll delve into what DRM is and uncover its top 5 advantages.
What is DRM?
DRM-protected streaming services
As the name suggests, Digital Rights Management (DRM) is used for controlling the playback and viewing of digital media files.
DRM is a multi-faceted technology that enables companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to control who has access to their content. It can also be used as an anti-piracy measure by preventing users from accessing certain files without paying or watching ads first (for example).
The main purpose of DRM is to control who can access digital content and how they can use it. This technology also helps protect copyrighted material from being pirated or stolen.
Types of DRM
DRM in video streaming is an umbrella term for technologies used to protect content from unauthorized usage. It can be broadly divided into two categories:
Copy protection – Preventing users from copying or sharing content with others.
Playback control – Restricting the playback experience of a user by limiting which devices and locations it can be played on.
Software-based DRM can be removed by simply deleting the files, whereas hardware-based DRM cannot be removed without damaging or destroying the device that it’s installed on.
Top 5 Benefits of DRM in Streaming Services
Benefits of DRM in Streaming Services
1. Offers Streaming Service Providers Various Means to Secure Their Content
DRM can be used for multiple purposes, such as:
Preventing content from being copied or otherwise used without authorization.
Limiting the number of times users can view something (e.g., a movie) before they have to pay for it again.
In this way, DRM helps with protecting content from being illegally accessed online by hackers. It plays a vital role in stopping people from sharing and downloading files without paying for using premium content or streaming it online.
2. DRM Enables Access Control to Content
As previously mentioned, DRM in video streaming is used to secure digital media files from being copied and distributed. DRMs offer streaming service providers several different means of securing their content.
Using DRM technologies, companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video can control who has access to their movies and videos. This means you need an Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or another streaming device with compatible DRM technology to stream movies and TV shows on your television set.
DRMs also allow streaming services to control what devices can play their content. For example, Amazon Prime Video uses DRM technologies to ensure that only devices that support its technology will stream movies from the service.
3. Detect Whether a Stream is Being Recorded or Not
DRM can also detect whether a stream is being recorded or not. This means you will have to pay for the content if you want to record it and then watch it later on, so it may not be worth it for consumers to try and get around this issue since DRM will know when this type of illegal activity occurs.
The rights holders usually don’t mind if you record something live, such as a sporting event or concert, but they do object if you try to sell copies of these recordings on your website or through other channels.
If you are a copyright holder, you can use software that will detect if someone is streaming your content without paying for it. This software will send out an alert when this happens, and you can then take action against the user who streamed the content illegally.
If you don’t know how to get around DRM or are worried about being caught, there are many legal ways to watch live sports streams online.
4. Helps Slow Down Piracy
Users who know how to record streams may find workarounds, but having DRM in place still helps slow down piracy.
For example, when one person records a video and uploads it to the internet for other people to download, that’s called “stream ripping.” It’s illegal because the content owner didn’t permit someone else to take what was originally their property.
DRM won’t stop all stream rips from happening – but it does help protect against them by making it harder for others to do so in the first place.
When you’re recording a stream, you may notice that the video quality isn’t as good, or the sound does not get recorded. This is another reason why content owners use DRM: it helps protect their property by preventing others from making copies of it. It can reduce the audio quality of streams or block them entirely.
5. DRM Benefits Both Consumers and Content Creators
DRM-protected videois a win-win situation for both the consumer and the service provider. It ensures your content is protected from being pirated and accessed by unauthorized users. It also prevents hacking into your system, which can be harmful to your business as well as your customers.
The benefits of using DRM are not limited to just these two. It also offers you the following:
Improved security and privacy protection.
Access control over your data and files.
Conclusion
DRM in video streaming has become increasingly common in recent years because of its many benefits. Among others, it can help content creators protect against piracy and unauthorized usage of their online premium content.
DRM can not only block unauthorized video streams, but it can also know how many times a certain file has been played. This gives content creators much more cont
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital content creation, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology brings both opportunities and challenges. Freelance and agency copywriters must stay informed about AI’s potential impact on copyrights, as it has the capability to generate content swiftly and efficiently. This article explores the critical aspects of AI, copyrights, and content creation, shedding light on the implications and considerations for copywriters in this dynamic environment.
Understanding AI and Copyrights
AI technology, with its ability to mimic human intelligence processes, is now integral to various aspects of content creation, from music and literature to visual art. However, this integration raises fundamental questions regarding copyright ownership. In traditional content creation, the creator typically owns the copyright. Still, with AI-generated content, determining the creator becomes complex.
The copyright for AI-generated content may belong to the person who developed the AI algorithm responsible for the creation or the individual who trained the AI algorithm. Moreover, there’s uncertainty about whether AI-generated content qualifies for copyright protection, further complicating matters.
Essentials of Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept that grants exclusive rights to creators of original works, allowing them to control usage, distribution, and profits from their creations. These protections apply to various forms of creative works, including literature, music, art, and software. To be eligible for copyright protection, content must be original, fixed in a tangible medium, and demonstrate creativity.
Copyright holders have the exclusive authority to manage the usage, distribution, and display of their works, prohibiting unauthorized use or reproduction without permission. While exceptions like fair use exist, unauthorized usage of copyrighted work constitutes infringement, potentially leading to legal actions and monetary damages.
AI and Copyright Infringement
AI-generated content can potentially infringe upon existing copyrights. For instance, AI tools may create text or art that closely resembles copyrighted material, leading to debates about whether the AI-generated content qualifies as derivative work or infringement.
Addressing these challenges involves considering new frameworks within copyright law that account for the unique attributes of AI-generated content. These frameworks might redefine authorship, ownership, and mechanisms for enforcing copyright in the context of emerging AI technologies.
Consequences and Impact on Copywriters
AI-generated content, while efficient, presents several consequences and challenges for freelance and agency copywriters:
Editing and Quality Checks: AI-generated content may contain grammatical errors and issues with flow, requiring human intervention.
Incorrect Data Points: The factual accuracy of AI-generated content can vary, necessitating fact-checking.
Lack of Original Ideas: AI lacks the capacity for originality and new ideas, which are crucial for engaging content.
Lack of Personalization: AI lacks emotional intelligence to create personalized and compelling narratives.
Unintentional Plagiarism: AI tools trained with copyrighted materials may inadvertently produce spun content.
The Role of AI in Freelance and Agency Copywriting
AI technology’s rapid advancement has raised concerns about its potential to replace copywriters. While AI can generate content quickly, it cannot perform essential tasks such as conducting interviews, engaging with subject matter experts, or adding citations to data. Copywriters should not fear AI but rather consider it a tool to enhance their work processes.
Considerations for Copywriters
Copywriters operating in the AI-driven content landscape should keep several key points in mind:
AI and Copyright Awareness: Stay informed about AI’s capabilities and limitations regarding copyrights.
Protection of Intellectual Property: Take proactive measures to safeguard your work, such as watermarking graphics and monitoring for unauthorized use.
Transparency with Clients: If AI is used in content creation, ensure transparency with clients, and attribute AI-generated content accordingly.
Leveraging AI: Embrace AI as a complementary tool to automate specific tasks like keyword research and ideation, enhancing your content creation process.
In conclusion, AI’s integration into content creation presents both opportunities and challenges for freelance and agency copywriters. It is crucial to remain vigilant about copyrights, protect intellectual property, and consider AI as a valuable ally rather than a replacement. As AI continues to shape the industry, informed and adaptable copywriters will thrive in this evolving landscape.
In the relentless march of digital technology, humanity has achieved breathtaking innovations. This digital revolution has flung open the doors of countless possibilities across diverse domains – education, advertising, communication, entertainment, media, and beyond. Yet, within this realm of digital marvels, a looming concern casts its shadow: Copyright Infringement.
Copyright, a form of Intellectual Property (IP), stands as the vigilant guardian of creators’ rights over their artistic and literary masterpieces – encompassing films, computer programs, books, paintings, databases, maps, and more. The digital age, while a boon in many respects, has ushered in an era where the replication, distribution, copying, and sale of original works occur with disconcerting ease, often without the creator’s consent. Adding to the complexity, detecting such infringements has become an arduous task.
The Internet’s Role in Copyright Infringement
The internet, a symbol of boundless information, has emerged as a formidable adversary to copyright protection. Its vast expanse hosts a trove of content, ranging from news, graphics, stories, images, videos, to screenplays, eBooks, and more – each with varying degrees of copyright protection. The sheer volume of information renders it immensely challenging to distinguish between original works and duplications.
A prevalent misconception suggests that content found in the public domain on the internet is fair game for replication. However, this is far from reality. Unless information is made available by government authorities, the term of copyright protection has lapsed, or the creator has willingly relinquished their rights, unauthorized use constitutes an infringement.
Copyright Infringement on the Internet
Copyright infringement manifests in diverse ways across various internet platforms, including:
1. Downloading Content:
The internet has long been a conduit for downloading files and software to individual computer systems. The act of downloading can involve reproducing or creating a copy of online content, but it comes with restrictions. Understanding these limitations is essential to avoid legal consequences.
Combining two or more programs to create derivative works can lead to copyright violations. The creation of derivative works is subject to legal scrutiny.
3. Hot-Linking:
Hot-linking occurs when an image on a website is displayed by linking to the original website hosting that image. This practice may infringe upon a copyright owner’s rights.
4. Computer Software:
Software piracy, a form of copyright infringement, involves unauthorized actions such as copying, distributing, exporting, renting, or selling copyrighted software.
5. Multimedia:
Multimedia, an expansive realm comprising sounds, videos, text, images, graphics, live presentations, and more, is susceptible to copyright infringement. Violations in multimedia can involve copying, distributing, creating unauthorized copies, or selling copyrighted material.
6. Social Media Platforms:
Social media platforms have become hubs for global connectivity, but they also serve as breeding grounds for copyright infringement. Sharing copyrighted material, often driven by the false belief that all content on social media is free to use, has resulted in a surge of infringement cases. Violations can occur through actions like saving, sharing, or re-posting copyrighted works, claiming ownership of protected works, or using others’ original works without consent.
Role of DRM in Copyright Protection
1. Content Encryption:
DRM employs robust encryption techniques to secure digital content. It ensures that content remains accessible only to authorized users with the requisite decryption keys or licenses. This formidable barrier discourages unauthorized access and redistribution of copyrighted material.
2. Access Control:
DRM systems grant content creators and distributors granular control over who can access their digital assets and under what conditions. This includes defining viewing periods, device restrictions, and geographical limitations. Access control mechanisms help protect content from piracy and unauthorized viewing.
3. Copy Protection:
DRM solutions restrict the replication of digital content, preventing users from making unauthorized copies or duplicates. This feature is especially critical for industries like music, film, and software, where unauthorized duplication can result in substantial revenue losses.
4. License Management:
DRM systems facilitate the management of licenses for digital content. Content providers can define and enforce licensing terms, including usage rights, expiration dates, and the number of permitted devices. This flexibility enables creators to monetize their content effectively while preserving copyright integrity.
5. Anti-Piracy Measures:
DRM incorporates anti-piracy mechanisms that actively deter and detect copyright infringement. These measures may include watermarking, fingerprinting, and tracking to identify unauthorized copies and their sources. By discouraging piracy, DRM plays a crucial role in protecting creators’ intellectual property.
6. Secure Distribution Channels:
DRM ensures that digital content is distributed through secure channels. It prevents unauthorized distribution or sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer networks or illicit websites. This safeguards content’s exclusivity and value.
7. Enforcement of Copyright Laws:
DRM systems align with copyright laws and regulations, reinforcing their enforcement. In cases of copyright infringement, DRM can provide evidence and mechanisms for legal action against violators, promoting adherence to intellectual property laws.
8. User Authentication:
DRM requires user authentication, ensuring that only legitimate users with valid licenses can access digital content. This authentication process adds an additional layer of security and deters unauthorized viewing or distribution.
9. Reporting and Analytics:
DRM systems often include reporting and analytics tools that provide content providers with insights into user behavior. This data helps creators refine their content strategies and identify potential threats to copyright protection.
In the complex and ever-evolving digital landscape, DRM stands as a sentinel guarding the rights and livelihoods of content creators. By providing the means to protect, control, and monetize digital content, DRM empowers creators to share their work with confidence while reinforcing the importance of intellectual property rights in the digital age. While debates about the balance between copyright protection and user rights persist, DRM continues to play a vital role in upholding the integrity of creative endeavors in the digital realm.
Sharing passwords online is causing a big problem and losing the streaming industry a lot of money every year. This issue has been going on for a while, but it got much worse during the Covid pandemic. In two surveys of people in the United States, the number of people sharing passwords went up from 27% before Covid to over 40% between 2019 and 2021. Even though it’s not as bad now, it’s still a huge loss of money for the industry.
The latest information tells us that around one out of every three Netflix users and one out of every four Amazon Prime Video users share their accounts with others. This is similar for people who use other popular services like Hulu, Disney+, and Paramount+.
This sharing of passwords is more common among younger people. When we looked closely at how different generations feel about sharing video service passwords, we found that 60% of Millennials said they share passwords with family, and 42% share them with friends. No matter who is doing it, the amount of money being lost because of this is really big.
Revenue loss from sharing passwords
In January 2023, Netflix estimated that more than 100 million households share passwords. Even if they share with just one other person, and everyone is using the company’s $9.99 per month basic plan, that results in a loss of nearly $1 billion per month or $12 billion per year.
Here’s another piece of data: In March 2021, Citi analyst Jason Bazinet estimated that sharing online passwords for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services leads to a massive $25 billion yearly loss for US companies.
As streaming services have become more important, stopping this kind of theft is becoming increasingly crucial for shareholders. When SVOD services were still growing, the major providers didn’t pay a lot of attention to monitoring password sharing. They almost saw it as a way to promote their services unofficially, thinking that users, especially within families, would eventually get their own accounts.
For example, HBO’s CEO, Richard Pleper, said in 2014, “It’s not that we’re ignoring it, and we’re looking at different ways to affect password sharing. I’m simply telling you: it’s not a fundamental problem, and the externality of it is that it presents the brand to more and more people, and gives them an opportunity hopefully to become addicted to it. What we’re in the business of doing is building addicts, of building video addicts. The way we do that is by exposing our product, our brand, our shows, to more and more people.”
But things have changed. Netflix is now taking a strong stance against password sharing, and it will be implemented globally in 2023. After testing various methods in Latin America in 2022, they have decided to make it easier for those who borrow (defined as people who don’t live in the account holder’s household) to transfer their Netflix profile to their own account. Sharers will have better control of their devices and can create sub-accounts (extra members) if they want to pay for family or friends.
In the trials, if a change in location for an account is detected for more than two weeks, the account holder will receive a notification in the app. They can then choose to change their household address or pay a fee to add the new address. Additional homes can be added for $2.99 a month, with Basic plan members able to add one extra home, Standard up to two extra, and Premium up to three extra.
Netflix’s new co-CEO, Greg Peters, expects this move to be met with some resistance, similar to how Netflix’s price increases are often met. He described this initiative as a way to gently encourage people who share their accounts to pay for users outside their own household.
So, what should companies do to protect their own revenues?
How to detect password sharing
There are several ways to detect password sharing, and many of them now use AI. They do this by looking at things like where and how content is being watched on different devices.
By analyzing what content is being watched, which device it’s being watched on, and where it’s being watched from, a detection service can find patterns that suggest password sharing. The AI then gives the service provider a score to indicate how likely it is that the account holder is sharing their password too much.
Certain patterns can show password sharing, but it’s important to tell the difference between legitimate and illegitimate cases. For example, if many devices are detected in one household, it could be because a user changed devices. But if the content meant for one household is being watched from different IP addresses, it’s likely due to password sharing. Since usage patterns change, machine learning and AI are important to sift through the data, adapting to these changes and distinguishing between legitimate and unauthorized use.
There are different levels of infringement. If the score suggests that credentials have been sold online to multiple users, the service provider can choose to close the accounts. However, if the score is lower and it seems like a family is just too generous with their credentials, the service provider can use this as a chance to offer a premium package to the family.
This is the approach that some major players are currently taking, gently guiding users to make the right, legal choice. They are being careful about it because adding barriers, like two-factor authentication, can be unwelcome to new users, and people are very sensitive when it comes to streaming services. High churn levels, possibly increasing during a recession, mean any obstacle is not ideal.
Competition in the streaming space is intense, and a lot of money is spent on content. So, the days of freely sharing passwords may be ending. For investors looking for returns in the industry, this is an important area for potential subscriber growth. While it might be tempting for other providers to ignore this issue, especially if they want to attract subscribers from services that are cracking down, they may soon find themselves out of sync with the industry consensus.
Service providers who want to protect their content need comprehensive anti-piracy services, and that increasingly includes dealing with password sharing.
A renaissance is currently unfolding in the realm of targeted advertising. Historically, in the context of video advertising, targeting was confined to a viewer’s geographical location, largely due to the distribution of ads through multicast, which sent the same video stream to numerous viewers. However, with the advent of unicast delivery (i.e., one-to-one video stream delivery) and recent advancements in AI, it is now possible to deliver individually tailored ads to a broad audience. These rapid technological developments in targeted advertising are empowering video service providers to redefine viewer engagement and enhance their revenue. Let’s delve deeper into this transformative landscape.
Enhancing Revenue and Viewer Engagement through Targeted Advertising
Targeted advertising presents a substantial opportunity for video service providers to elevate viewer engagement and unlock fresh revenue streams. As ads become more finely tuned, the advertising inventory gains substantial value. Traditional CPM rates for legacy TV inventory have historically hovered around $15. However, with individually addressable TV ads, even low-value inventory can command a CPM of $20, while high-value content, such as live sports, can fetch rates of up to $50.
The predictive capabilities of AI technology play a pivotal role in allowing advertisers to deliver precisely tailored messages to specific demographics. The more relevant an ad is to its audience, the more impactful it becomes, resulting in higher engagement rates and improved return on investment (ROI).
AI-driven targeted advertising also equips video service providers with granular tracking, providing insights into who is actually viewing the ads, how long they are engaged, whether they are muting the TV, and more. This data is immensely valuable to advertisers, instilling confidence that investing in individually addressable ads is a wise decision.
Crucial Components of a Targeted Advertising Solution
Several key features are essential for a targeted advertising solution sought by video service providers. The deployment of server-side ad insertion (SSAI) technology enables advertisers to seamlessly inject personalized ads into the video stream. With SSAI, video content and ads are seamlessly integrated into one stream, making ad blocking impossible. This entire process ensures a consistent viewing experience. Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) is also imperative, allowing ads to be tailored to each viewer using AI technologies, thereby optimizing ROI. Offering customized content to each viewer is pivotal in providing a unique service and attracting subscribers.
Furthermore, the targeted advertising solution must be scalable to ensure an uninterrupted viewing experience for millions of concurrent viewers, a critical consideration during premiere sports events.
Next-Generation Advancements in Targeted Advertising
Recent technological enhancements are rapidly advancing the field of targeted advertising. One of the latest innovations is dynamic brand insertion, which leverages AI algorithms to seamlessly integrate branded content into video. For instance, this could involve placing a popular soft drink’s logo on an in-scene beverage cooler. With dynamic brand insertion, advertising becomes seamlessly embedded in the video scene, creating a non-intrusive and engaging advertising experience and eliminating the need for commercial breaks. The ad blends harmoniously with the video content itself.
Another recent advertising innovation in the video space is double-box displays, enabling viewers to simultaneously watch live shows or events while ads run on the screen. Apart from opening up new revenue avenues for video service providers, this type of advertising minimizes disruptions for viewers, enabling them to maintain their focus on the content and enhancing their overall satisfaction.
Transforming Streaming Experiences with Targeted Advertising
Propelled by technological advancements, including AI, targeted advertising is evolving at a remarkable pace. By embracing the latest innovations in targeted advertising, video service providers can drive viewer engagement and enhance profitability. However, they require a scalable, user-friendly targeted advertising solution that guarantees a seamless viewing experience. Solutions like Harmonic’s VOS360 Ad are revolutionizing targeted advertising by providing video service providers with a single platform for AI-powered targeted advertising, delivering a seamless viewing experience, and optimizing monetization.
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