Digital rights management has arisen as one of the most critical elements of the wireless data industry. And in an acknowledgement of the importance of the technology, the Open Mobile Alliance today released an updated version of its DRM specifications.
“There is a strong market demand for this enabler,” said Danni Gladden-Green, chairwoman of the OMA’s communication committee and a Texas Instruments executive.
The OMA’s new DRM 2.0 Enabler Release supports a number of new business models and wireless technologies above and beyond those of the first version of the OMA’s specifications.
In November 2002, the OMA released its DRM protections version 1.0. The specifications covered several basic functions. First, DRM version 1.0 featured a forward lock function, which prevents users from forwarding copyrighted content on to other users-perhaps the most basic form of digital rights management. The specification also supported combined delivery, so that content would expire at a set time, and superdistribution, which allows copyright-protected content to be forwarded to other users while still requiring payment.
The OMA’s updated DRM specifications support a variety of new features. Most importantly, the specifications expand the number of possible content business models. OMA DRM version 2.0 supports content subscriptions, allowing providers to charge for content on a monthly basis. The protocols also support gifting, which allows users to pay for content and forward it to a friend. Users also will be able to preview content before they purchase it, as well as share content among a set group of devices.
“There are a number of new and interesting business models,” said Willms Buhse, vice chairman of the OMA’s DRM working group and an executive with DRM technology company CoreMedia.
Although the new specifications are independent of the type of wireless content, they allow providers to offer copyright-protected streaming video, music tracks and games that were not fully covered by the first OMA digital rights management protocols. Further, Buhse said, the advent of new, more advanced mobile phones required the OMA to add additional DRM technologies so content providers would be assured their copyrights could be protected.
Copyright protection has become a major issue within the wireless data industry, and has given rise to a small but growing number of wireless DRM startup companies, including CoreMedia, LockStream Corp. and others. Even the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association has begun working on the issue. The reason, according to those in the industry, is to entice movie studios, record labels and other content owners to explore the wireless channel.
Formed in June 2002, the OMA has quickly become one of the wireless industry’s most important standards groups. The organization comprises the WAP Forum, the Wireless Village instant-messaging initiative, the Location Interoperability Forum and a number of other smaller groups. The OMA in November 2002 released its first set of specifications, which included protocols for basic copyright protections, as well as specifications for content downloading, billing and messaging. Handset makers, carriers and content providers across the world have adopted the OMA’s set of specifications. Indeed, more than 50 handset models worldwide include the OMA’s specifications, including its DRM version 1.0 protocols.
