Architecture for Protection of Content Via Watermarks

1
Architecture for Protection of Content Via
Watermarks

• Michael Epstein
• Raymond Krasinski
• Philips Electronics

2
Outline

• Problem Statement
• A Simple System
• A Comprehensive System
• The Vacation Home Scenario

3
Problem Statement

• Prevent the copying of copy never content
• Pressed disks (purchased DVD)
• Video on demand/Pay-per-view
• Prevent improper copying of one generation
  content
• Prevent the Internet re-transmission to the
  public of broadcast content
• Allow personal use when appropriate

4
Watermark Description

• An indelible mark that carries information
• Does not interfere with the use of content
• Should be difficult to remove
• Without destroying the content
• Should be difficult to write
• Should be inexpensive to find
• If you know the secrets

5
Watermark-States

• Watermark
• Copy never
• Copy one generation
• Unlimited copies, do not transmit over the
  Internet to the public
• No watermark means no technical restrictions at
  all

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Copy Never Watermark System(Record Control)
Pressed disk (CNWM-ROM)
7
Copy Never Watermark System(Play Control)
Pressed disk (CNWM-ROM)
R/RW disk (CNWM-R/RW)
Non-compliant DVD Recorder
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Copy Never Watermark System

• Record Control
• DVD recorder will not record copy-never
  watermarked disk
• Play control
• Even if a copy is made on an R or RW disk then
• DVD player will not play
• DVD recorder will not play
• Legacy player or recorder will ignore all
  watermarks

9
Assumptions

• It is difficult to transmit video across the
  Internet without using lossy compression
  technologies
• Watermark detectors will only exist in certain
  critical locations
• Storage devices or some class of storage devices
• Displays
• It will be desirable to use licensed/regulated
  storage and display devices

10
Comprehensive System (1)
UWM
UWM-recorded
physical
UWM-recorded
HDTV (RF)
Digital
Analog
11
Failure to Traverse the Internet

• Conversion to analog alters the watermark
• Compression alters the watermark
• Altered content will not be recorded
• Even if the content with an altered watermark is
  recorded, the resulting content will not play
• In some cases altered watermark content will not
  be displayed

12
Failure to Traverse the Internet
Physical UWM
Internet
Physical altered
A/D
Digital altered
Analog altered
UWM-recorded
(compression)
Non-compliant DVD Recorder
UWM-altered
13
Remote/Local Control

• Local content
• Can be recorded
• Transmitted locally
• Remote content
• Cannot be recorded
• Even if recorded cannot be played
• Appropriate use of remote content is enabled via
  controlled means
• vacation home scenario should be enabled

14
Comprehensive System (2)
UWM
Internet
HDTV (RF) Remote
Digital Remote
Analog Remote
Near Location
HDTV (RF) Near
D/A
UWM
Unregulated Demodulator
Unregulated Device
Remote Location
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Summary

• Multiple types of content must be protected
• Copy never
• Copy one generation
• Unlimited copies
• Local use can be enabled
• Including legacy devices
• Remote use can be prevented
• Special arrangement needed for appropriate use
• i.e. vacation home scenario