DRM is digital rights management system and thee are used by different video platforms to allow protected playback. It is difficult to know which devices and applications available in the market support which Cross-Platform DRM system.
Cross-Platform DRM with Common Encryption
Digital Rights Management give licensing security using different platforms such as Google Widevine, PlayReady, Apple FairPlay streaming, Abode Primetime access or Microsoft PlayReady.
Digital rights management systems encrypt the videos for more security. Only the payers having the licensing key can playback the content. The licensing information of different systems is different for players.
Google Widevine
Google Widevine DRM is available for more than two billion mobile platforms, desktop, television and set-top box devices. There is no license fee for using Widevine products. The DRM use is supported by encrypted media extensions. Widevine was also the first content decryption module into the chrome browser for both desktop and android mobiles.
Microsoft PlayReady
Microsoft PlayReady technology allows sharing of protected content, it supports subscription, advertising, promotion, rental and other business models. The technology also supports audio, video, eBooks and multimedia content types of various devices. The technology is available in Windows 8, Xbox, Windows Phone, Silverlight for Windows and Mac.
Adobe Primetime/Access
Abode Primetime was earlier called as Access. This DRM is used to for videos that play via Abode Flash browser plug-in or Abode Air Application. The formats that are used with Abode Primetime are MPEG-DASH and HTTP Live Streaming. This technology is supported on Abode Flash, Abode Air and Firefox platforms.
Apple FairPlay Streaming
This Digital Rights management system is from Apple and is used to be used primarily to protect the video content for delivering on Apple products and services. HTTP Live streaming video content format is supported with FairPlay streaming. The platforms that support this system are iOS devices including iPhones and iPads, Safari Browser, iMac, Apple TV, Macbook and others.
CMLA-OMA
Cross-Platform DRM system was created by Content Management License Administration and Open Mobile Alliance. This is developed to be used exclusively for mobile devices. This can be used to secure the 360-degree video and VR applications. The video content format used with CMLA OMA is the MPEG-DASH and common encryption. The platforms that support this system are the iOS devices and Android devices.
Multiplatform DRM and Content Protection
Multiplatform DRMs provide protection to the content distributors in their workflow and player technology. The content is protected across a wide range of devices with DRM systems. DRM systems are usually very expensive and are used by the content owners who own Hollywood grade content.
Cross-Platform DRM Market Statistics
Digital rights management is a powerful tool for digital content protection. The DRM market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 25%. The growth of digital rights management industry can be attributed to the fact that content access through mobile phones is growing. In 2015, the market size was USD 1,066.3 million, and it is expected to grow to USD 2,898.9 million in the coming three years. The growth rate is increasing due to security concerns and the fact that DRM solutions are being adopted by most enterprises. The companies that seek real-time access to business data transmission and storage across different devices augmented the susceptibility of data theft and loss.
Digital rights management system usage is one of the ways to protect the content. The above mentioned are some of the primary DRM providers. The four important elements of DRM are the management of digital rights, encryption, license management and DRM enabled client another element is the DRM capable player that can communicate with the license server.
