What Is A DRM?
Digital rights management (DRM) DRM is a technology used to control access to copyrighted material, ensuring copyright holders’ rights and preventing unauthorized distribution. It is crucial as digital content spreads through peer-to-peer exchanges, torrent sites, and online piracy.
Additionally, DRM helps entertainment and media companies protect themselves from cybersecurity challenges by ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and preventing downtime.
Furthermore, DRM helps content creators control content usage, protect copyrighted material, and prevent illegal sharing. It prevents unauthorized access to assets, ensures legal issues, and safeguards creative and financial investment. This crucial measure protects copyright and intellectual property.
What Is A DRM License?
A DRM License is a successful license issued by the DRM Service, granting consumer-specific rights to encrypted customer content. Note that a separate DRM License is issued for each time a consumer plays a specific piece of content in a distinct session.
For example, if a consumer plays three pieces of content, three DRM Licenses will be issued. If the same content is played, terminated, and re-viewed, two DRM Licenses will be issued.
How Does DRM Work?
Copyright laws protect digital content distribution, sharing, and modification, but monitoring internet activity is challenging. Digital Rights Management (DRM) addresses this by implementing barriers to prevent theft.
Furthermore, DRM codes restrict content copying and limit device access, and content creators can use applications to restrict user usage or encrypt media for restricted access.
This gives owners of copyrights and content providers the ability to:
- prohibiting or limiting users’ ability to modify or save, send or forward, print, or take screenshots or screen captures of their content or products
- Set expiration dates on media to prevent people from accessing it after that period or to restrict the number of times they can view it.
- Limit access to media to particular hardware, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, or places, such as by restricting content to users in the United States exclusively.
- To prove document and image ownership and content identity, watermark them.
Who Uses DRM?
#1. Associations and Professional Training Organizations:
Associations and professional training organizations can securely send documents and share valuable training videos with members and trainees using Digital Rights Management (DRM) software. This software integrates with existing systems and sets access control rights, ensuring only authorized members or paying clients can access the content.
Additionally, DRM solutions also protect files downloaded to computers or shared drives and automatically revoke access when membership or class ends. This ensures students complete their training without worrying about passing information on to the next class.
#2. Market Research and Data Intelligence
Market research in various industries requires valuable information to be protected. To avoid potential leaks or the sharing of unpaid content, it is essential to use a Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution to safeguard valuable research information. Note that this solution ensures that valuable intellectual property (IP) is not misused and remains valuable for businesses in the market.
#3. Financial Services
Financial institutions must protect their clients, shareholders, and themselves from unauthorized users. To protect content, it’s crucial to use the best DRM solution available. Solutions like Dropbox and data rooms only secure the portal for clients, not individual files or documents. Therefore, a quality DRM solution ensures protection when downloaded, regardless of storage or saved location.
#4. Standards Organizations
Standards organizations provide essential information for professionals to stay compliant and gain a competitive edge. Companies and trade professionals pay membership fees and subscription dues to access standard documents and training materials.
Encrypting content, restricting sharing, printing, and copying, and revoking access after membership ends are crucial measures to maintain valuable content. Therefore, DRM solutions can be used to lock down content for specific audiences and introduce multi-tiered subscription plans to increase revenue.
#5. Media and Publishing
Media and publishing professionals prioritize content protection to maintain their bottom lines. A quality DRM solution allows companies to implement different content and user controls for different groups of users. This allows them to charge lower fees for view-only access while offering premium access on multiple devices.
Note that implementing a DRM solution is not a “one size fits all” solution, but rather a multi-faceted and innovative approach that can increase revenue-generating content sales.
Top 20 Best DRM Software
#1. Bynder:
Bynder’s digital asset management platform helps teams manage content, touchpoints, and relationships, catering to industries, marketing, and consumer goods markets, with a 53% Mid-Market and 32% Enterprise segment.
#2. Digify
Digify is an award-winning cloud-based document security and data room software with a 4.7 out of 51 rating. It offers full control, protection, and tracking of documents, with a starting price of $120.00. The software is suitable for small businesses and mid-market segments.
#3. Primetime DRM:
Primetime DRM offers flexible business models for content protection and download-to-own on various platforms, with a 4.6 out of 5 rating. It caters to small-business and mid-market segments.
#4. Vitrium Systems:
Vitrium is a digital rights management software that protects IP, including videos, documents, images, and audio files. With over one million users, it is rated 4.9 out of 5 for ease of use. Additionally, it is suitable for small businesses and mid-market segments.
#5. Acquia DAM (Widen):
Acquia DAM (Widen) is a flexible and user-friendly digital asset manager for brands, helping them manage and distribute assets across teams, tools, and channels. With a configurable metadata schema, it provides powerful business-specific solutions.
#6. Copyscape:
Copyscape is a duplicate content detection software with a 4.5 out of 5 rating in the Information Technology and Services industry.
#7. Widevine:
Widevine is a digital rights management solution that secures audio and video from infringement, offering licensing, and security capabilities. Therefore, it is primarily used by small businesses and enterprise managers.
#8. PallyCon:
PallyCon is a premium content protection service by Inka Networks, trusted by more than 200 customers worldwide. It offers 360-degree, cloud-based, end-to-end content security for OTT platforms like Multi DR.
#9. Watermark Tool:
Watermarkspro is a top online watermark tool, offering free watermarking of images and videos. It caters to 38% of the midmarket and 38% of enterprises.
#10. Fortra’s Vera
Fortra’s Vera secure collaboration solution encrypts and controls access to sensitive files, offering a zero-trust approach to file sharing. It caters to 60% small-business and 20% enterprise markets.
#11. FotoWare:
FotoWare is a DAM solution for enterprises and organizations with advanced workflow requirements. It offers efficient handling of digital assets, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating. The market segment is small businesses, with 32% being mid-market.
#13. OpenAsset:
OpenAsset is a cloud-based digital asset management system for the AEC and Real Estate industries, catering to property and project management. It offers a 75% Mid-Market and 15% Small-Business market segment.
#14. Sesimi:
Sesimi is a brand management platform with a 4.5 out of 5 rating, enabling instant content creation, management, and sharing. It offers a sophisticated Digital Asset Management tool for industries like automotive and small businesses.
#15. MerlinOne:
MerlinOne is a leading provider of AI-centric DAM software, empowering marketers, creative teams, and archivists to effectively organize and manage their digital assets. The market segment is 56% mid-market, 32% enterprise.
#16. Pex:
Pex is a digital rights technology company that simplifies copyright use, ensuring fairness and transparency. Their advanced identification technology simplifies licensing, brand safety, and market segmentation.
#17. CapLinked
CapLinked Virtual Data Room is a fast-growing VDR with robust functionality, serving clients worldwide for over a decade. It caters to 54% of small businesses and 31% of mid-market segments.
#18. Fasoo Enterprise Digital Rights Management:
Fasoo Enterprise DRM is an advanced data security solution that protects, controls, and tracks sensitive documents on any device. It is popular among users in the mid-market and small-business market segments.
#19. FilmTrack:
Filmtrack offers cloud-based software solutions for the entertainment industry, focusing on rights management. With a 4.5 out of 5 rating, the software helps manage all aspects of rights management.
#20. iWrapper:
iWrapper is a SaaS Digital Rights Management solution for online publishers to monitor, protect, and monetize digital documents, catering to 100% small-business users.
Benefits Of Digital Rights Management
Here are just a few of the many advantages that DRM offers to both organizations and individuals.
#1. It helps safeguard private documents.
DRM technology can assist firms in securing delicate documents, including contracts, strategic plans, and private employee information. Additionally, they can use it to restrict access to files, keep tabs on who has accessed them, and stop them from being changed, saved, copied, or printed.
DRM technology aids material buyers in adhering to the relevant license guidelines that specify how, when, and even where it can be used, and helps them avoid paying fees for improper use.
#3. DRM assists in securing revenue sources.
Time, money, and skill are all key resources required for content creation. DRM technology aids in making sure that content owners get their money’s worth.
#4 DRM provides possibilities for learning.
People can learn the value of abiding by copyright laws in their private and professional lives by using DRM technology and related procedures.
#5. It hastens the creation and delivery of content.
Teams may quickly and securely grasp what resources are available for use without questioning usage rights or contract agreements by simply outlining and certifying the terms for digital content.
What Is DRM For Media?
DRM is a technology that controls the access, use, and distribution of digital media and content, protecting intellectual property rights, preventing unauthorized copying, and enforcing licensing agreements. It involves encrypting content and implementing access controls, often requiring specialized software or hardware.
Additionally, DRM benefits content creators and copyright holders by protecting their intellectual property, but it has been a topic of controversy. However, critics argue that DRM can be overly restrictive, limit consumer rights, and create compatibility issues between devices and platforms. Therefore, the specifics and implementation of DRM vary depending on the content provider, platform, and media type.
What Is a DRM-Protected Song?
DRM-protected songs are digital audio files encrypted with DRM technology to enforce usage restrictions and control distribution. They were once more prevalent but have decreased due to industry shifts and consumer preferences. Today, many platforms and online stores offer DRM-free music, allowing users to purchase and download it without DRM limitations.
What Is an Example of a DRM?
An example of DRM is Apple‘s FairPlay technology. This uses DRM to protect iTunes Store music and videos by encrypting the content with a digital key. Therefore, unauthorized devices cannot play the content, ensuring its protection.
How Do I Enable DRM?
Please follow these steps to enable DRM on the desktop Chrome browser:
1. Visit chrome://settings/content to start.
2. Scroll to the page’s bottom and select Protected Content or Visit chrome://settings/content/protectedContent
3. Switch the switch to the “Allow sites to play protected content (recommended)” position.
For the desktop version of Firefox:
1. Access the preferences page.
2. Find the “Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content” section by scrolling down.
3. Select “Play DRM-controlled content” in the dialog box.
Does DRM Requires the Internet?
DRM can function without an internet connection. To check the validity of the content or download more content, certain DRM systems might, however, need an internet connection.
How Do I Use DRM on My Website?
Website protection software can protect PDF, video, and page data but does not include DRM. Password protection can be applied by member login systems, and it can be shared. Real DRM should only allow access to users specifically authorized by the owner. ArtistScope DRM is the preferred solution, as it identifies each user with a unique computer ID that cannot be shared or exploited.
ArtistScope DRM is a server-side language that simplifies web design and allows site owners to nominate DRM-protected pages. Additionally, it is available as a WordPress plugin and works with desktop reading and online web page display. Therefore, the ArtisBrowser web browser is the only secure option for copy-protected websites.
Note that the ArtistScope DRM is provided for free to existing users of the ArtistScope website protection software, allowing clients to extend their protection to include secure DRM and access rights management on their web pages.
What Files Are Protected by DRM?
DRM can be used to protect any type of digital content, including music, videos, e-books, software, and documents. However, DRM is most commonly used to protect music and videos.
How Does DRM Prevent Piracy?
DRM is a technology used by game developers to prevent unauthorized access to their software. It encrypts game code, making it difficult for pirates to copy and distribute. DRM works through various methods, including activation keys, which are unique and linked to the user’s account. This ensures that only the purchased user can activate and play the game.
What Is the Power of DRM?
DRM has a lot of power and can stop illicit digital content playback, dissemination, and copying. However, it is not without controversy, as some people feel that it is overly limiting.
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