ExtraDRM Service Media
System
Benefits of Windows Media DRM
Windows Media digital rights management (DRM) is a flexible platform that makes it
possible to protect and securely deliver a la carte and subscription content for playback
on a computer, portable device, or network device. This benefits everyone who wants to
create, deliver, or play digital media content by offering the content protection
necessary to ensure that content owners make high-quality content available, and the
portability to ensure that consumers can enjoy their content wherever they may be, on the
device of their choice.
The rapid development of online distribution and
consumption of digital media has received great notoriety. There are a variety of
technical, legal, and business-related issues impacting this market. The net result is
that for a wide variety of digital audio and video content to be available, it has to be
protected—but this protection needs to be as transparent as possible so it doesn't
impact the consumer experience. Windows Media DRM is platform technology that makes it
possible for:
- Content owners to protect their digital media content by packaging files with robust
encryption algorithms
- Content owners and content service providers to experiment with new business models
through the flexibility of the Windows Media DRM platform
- Consumers to find, acquire, and play content virtually anywhere
Advantages for Content Owners
Microsoft, along with most of the software industry, has battled piracy for many years. As
a result, Microsoft has gained a deep understanding of the damage that the copying of
digital media can do to artists and corporations alike.
Windows Media DRM was first
released in August 1999. The platform includes both server and client software development
kits (SDKs) and "porting kits" that enable programs to protect and play back
digital media files. For more information, see Platform
Components of Windows Media DRM.
Windows Media DRM 10 supports a number of new
scenarios that give content owners new outlets to reach consumers. Most importantly,
content owners will not have to re-encode existing content to take advantage of the new
functionality.
The Windows Media Rights Manager SDK lets content providers deliver
music, videos, and other digital media content over the Internet in a protected, encrypted
file format. These files can be either streamed or downloaded to the consumer's
computer—and with Windows Media DRM 10 they can be delivered directly to devices that
are connected to the Internet.
The DRM component in the Windows Media Format SDK
enables developers to write applications to acquire licenses and decrypt protected digital
media files. The consumer can then use these applications to play protected digital media
files.
Windows Media DRM, in conjunction with Windows Media Encoder, can also
support real-time encryption; encoding and encrypting the file simultaneously such that
the content is never vulnerable prior to delivery.
Advantages for Content Service Providers
Many content service providers have set up online stores to distribute digital media files
protected with Windows Media DRM. Content providers can remain confident that their
digital media files will stay protected, no matter how widely they are distributed.
Windows
Media DRM 10 enables content service providers to offer new business models designed to
expand the market for online content. For more information, see Scenarios
for Windows Media DRM. Among other benefits:
- It extends the capability to play content acquired through subscription services to
be transferred to portable devices, opening up a potentially huge market.
- It speeds up the process of acquiring or renewing licenses in large content
libraries, improving customer satisfaction with the online service.
The flexibility of the platform also makes it possible to offer content samples or
trials that are good for a specified duration, and for content to be distributed between
consumers while keeping the content protected. In short, content service providers have a
wide variety of vehicles to attract and maintain different target audiences.
Advantages for Consumers
Digital distribution offers consumers a convenient way to access their favorite content at
any time, and with content protected with Windows Media DRM 10 they'll have even greater
flexibility and choice. Today consumers can choose from a variety of content service
providers, a multitude of devices, and a variety of "purchase and download"
payment options and subscription models. Windows Media DRM 10 ensures that consumers will
be able to enjoy even greater flexibility and choice by allowing them to acquire and/or
transfer their subscription content to the devices of their choosing. |
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