What is DRM Technology, its Working & How to use it

The rise of digital media and modern technologies has vastly raised the copyright-owning concerns of organizations and individuals. In just a few clicks of a mouse, many copyrighted images, videos and audio files get downloaded or shared without prior permission. In addition, modern techniques and tools have made it easy to convert media (mostly copyrighted) into various digital forms for easy portability and sharing. This is known as ripping, and the best possible solution to it is using DRM technology. This combines with the internet and hundreds of file-sharing tools (like Torrents) to make unauthorized large-scale distribution of copyright media copies (digital piracy) much easier.

As per a US Chamber of Commerce report, online piracy costs the US economy nearly $30 billion per year. This is where DRM technology comes into play to control and manage access to copyright materials. DRM technology combines a set of applications and technologies to protect digital media against copyright infringements. DRM aims to protect the original copyright holder rights and restrict the unauthorized copying, editing, or redistribution of digital files and proprietary software. Today DRM is playing a leading role in data security.

What is DRM Technology?

DRM Technology refers to the technical architecture used to protect a file that has applied any DRM systems like Apple FairPlay or Google Widevine to restrict copying, editing or unauthorized content distribution. This includes a base layer of encryption to prevent unauthorized access and license control for authorizing permissions and access so that the encryption keys do not get leaked.

The main key component behind DRM technology is the black box provided by the likes of Google and Apple which process the decryption of a media file. This black box also called CDM runs under a secure environment and is backed by kernel/OS/hardware level protection. This technology is also maintained and updated by Google and Apple only as they control their hardware and software ecosystem with Browser and OS level updates.

Here is an example for better understanding. The Apple iTunes Music Store uses Fairplay DRM solution to restrict the devices on which songs can be played. The downloaded music files contain the data about purchase and usage activity. Unauthorized devices cannot play the songs as encrypted files get declined by the DRM for authorization. A wide range of businesses and professionals are using DRM technology to protect their documents, files, videos, contracts, and audio for any unauthorized access.

How DRM Technology Architecture Works?

The whole architecture can be divided mainly into two parts:

DRM Content Encryption

In any DRM-enabling architecture, the content is encrypted using DRM OEM specifications (AES, CENC, CBCS, etc). Most solutions are using technologies designed around 128-bit AES encryption using CTR or CBC modes. Both of these modes are part of Common Encryption (CENC) and encrypt streams to deliver securely.

As soon as the media file is uploaded, it gets divided into segment files and gets encrypted and the key required to decrypt is stored in a license or meta server. The license server stores the encryption key and links that key to the content ID.

DRM Playback/Decryption

When a DRM enabled player/software is asked to play/open the DRM encrypted media, a call is not made directly to the license server. Instead the DRM browser/player/software/app contacts the DRM module present in the device. This module (Apple FPS/Google Widevine) then asks the address of the license server and other media files attributes. When received, the module then packages this information and encrypts that package before sending it to the license server with a public key. When received by a license server which has the private key of the encryption, decrypts it and again makes a new package with encrypted content key and sends it back. Now when the DRM module receives the content key it decrypts it and starts decrypting the media file. It then passes the decrypted media file to the browser/player/software/app for viewing.

Basic Encryption Technology vs DRM Encryption Technology

Though encryption is key in shielding digital files, it’s not foolproof. It doesn’t block file copying but rather restricts content access. DRM technology, however, shares encryption’s focus on controlling access and use, not copy prevention. Grasping these nuances helps reveal how encryption fits within DRM systems to protect digital content.

In standard encryption, both encrypted media file and key are sent over the network and can be viewed using a network sniffer or downloader tool.

Picture this: selling an encrypted ebook to Jane. If the seller gives Jane the ebook and decryption key, the cat’s out of the bag. Jane can share both with anyone. In this scenario, encryption flops, as the key holder has no incentive to protect the file.

A safer approach: give Jane’s computer the key, not Jane. She downloads the encrypted ebook and a separate, encrypted key file (a “voucher”). Jane’s ebook software decrypts the voucher, and Jane never lays eyes on the key. Yet, even this method isn’t foolproof, as Jane could send both files to a friend, who could then access the content.

To amp up security, DRM can tether the key to Jane’s hardware. When Jane buys the ebook, her computer’s unique hardware ID goes to the seller. The voucher has this ID, and the software checks for a match before opening the file. No match, and no access to different machines.

Similarly a DRM module present in the kernel or OS never reveal the actual content key. Instead encrypt and decrypt the request package with new session keys and public private key combinations.

In DRM Encryption, the actual key required to decrypt the media file remains in the DRM module or the DRM license server, so no network sniffer or tools can see it.

However, DRM has its limitations. Learn more about why is DRM not enough to protect video piracy and what you can do to secure your content effectively.

Types of DRM Technology, its free & open-source providers

There are many DRM license providers to protect video content. The most popular types of DRMs supporting common web browsers, devices, and set-top boxes are:

Widevine DRM: Google’s Widevine DRM is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers, Android, and Chromecast devices. Widevine DRM supports HLS, MPEG-DASH, and MSS streaming with CENC and CMAF. There are two versions of Widevine, Classic, and Modular.

FairPlay DRM: DRM solution from Apple, FairPlay DRM securely delivers streaming media using HLS (HTTP live streaming) protocol. It has native support on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, watchOS 7, macOS AND Safari browsers.

Open Source: There are GitHub repositories on open-source DRM solution, but most of them don’t get updated frequently. Also, there is a fundamental problem with open-source DRM solutions. Even though all of the algorithms & source code can be publicly available without harming the core security principles, client devices need to be trusted & verified by the rights issuer to do anything forbidden or restricted. This is incompatible with FOSS licensing guidelines, which elaborates that the user of a device should always have complete control over what the device does.

OMA DRM: OMA DRM, a digital rights management (DRM) system, was developed by the Open Mobile Alliance. Its members include mobile phone manufacturers (such as Nokia, LG, and Samsung), system manufacturers (like Ericsson and Siemens), network operators (Vodafone, O2, and Orange), and IT companies (Microsoft, IBM, and Sun). This DRM system allows content creators to enforce limits on usage and duplication by customers. Many modern phones feature OMA DRM, which has two versions: 1.0 and 2.0. To guarantee compatibility among all OMA DRM implementations, the Open Mobile Alliance supplies specifications and testing tools.

Importance of DRM Technology?

Stealing and copying someone else’s work and ideas has been long here. However, with technological advancements, digital piracy is sharply rising. Sensitive company documents, video footage, and multimedia content is every second getting remixed, reused, and republished. Anyone having an internet connection can access these files. Consequently, these digital assets need proper protection. With DRM, access to these resources gets restricted, and no one can do whatever they want to the intellectual properties and media files.

In our rapidly evolving digital world, DRM technology’s relevance is ever-growing. Picture this: you’ve borrowed a hardcover book from the library, and you yearn for your own copy. While copyright law may frown upon replicating it, no tangible barrier stops you. However, you’re deterred by the labor, expense, and subpar outcome of duplicating a physical book.

Now, envision possessing that same book, but digitally. Copying is a breeze, practically instantaneous, free of charge, and yielding an impeccable replica. Moreover, digital files make generating several copies and disseminating them a cinch. Although copyright laws shield both physical and digital books, the simplicity of duplicating digital content demands sturdier protection.

Enter DRM technology. Since copyright laws can’t fully thwart unauthorized copying and distribution, a tech-based approach, like DRM, becomes indispensable in safeguarding digital assets. This potent protective measure empowers creators and copyright owners to retain control over their digital creations amidst an evermore interconnected world.

DRM technology architecture helps protecting before the content is leaked and DRM copyright protection helps in getting the leaked content deleted or restricted.

Overall it does,

1. Prevents Unauthorized Distribution & Piracy

• DRM security helps in restricting users from copying or sharing DRM-protected digital content without permission.
• It combats piracy, which leads to major revenue losses for content creators and publishers.
• Without DRM solutions, digital media such as movies, music, eBooks, and software can be easily duplicated and illegally shared online.

2. Protects Intellectual Property (IP) Rights

• DRM systems safeguard the intellectual property of content creators, software developers, and media producers.
• DRM software ensures that their work remains secure from unauthorized modifications or reproductions.
• By using DRM encryption, creators maintain control over how their content is accessed, modified, or distributed.

3. Ensures Revenue Generation for Content Creators

• DRM protection ensures that artists, publishers, and developers get paid for their work by preventing unauthorized use.
• Streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Kindle use DRM digital rights management to enforce subscription-based access.
• Various monetization models, such as pay-per-use, subscription-based access, and one-time purchases, are secured through digital rights management software.

4. Enables Secure Digital Distribution

• DRM solutions enable secure online distribution of digital content, allowing businesses to confidently sell and stream media.
• DRM technology ensures that only authorized users can access and download digital media, preventing unauthorized alterations.
• Secure distribution is crucial for video streaming services, DRM-controlled content, and DRM-protected media.

5. Supports Different Licensing Models

• Types of DRM allow content providers to implement various licensing models, such as:
  • Time-based access (e.g., rental services like Amazon Prime Video)
  • Subscription-based access (e.g., Netflix, Spotify, Disney+)
  • Pay-per-download (e.g., Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies)

6. Helps Enforce Regional Restrictions

• DRM systems allow content providers to restrict access based on geographic locations.
• Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ use DRM protection to comply with regional licensing agreements.
• Without DRM technology, cross-border access violations would be difficult to prevent.

7. Enhances Digital Security & Data Protection

• DRM security helps prevent unauthorized modifications, tampering, or reverse engineering of DRM software and digital files.
• DRM encryption secures content from cyber threats, ensuring that only authorized users can decrypt and access DRM-protected media.
• This is especially important for sensitive corporate documents, confidential research, and government data.

8. Regulates Corporate & Educational Content

• Businesses use digital rights management software to protect DRM-controlled video content,
• Educational institutions use DRM software to restrict access to DRM-protected videos
• DRM solutions ensure that educational content is accessed only by authorized students or faculty members.

9. Maintains Brand Reputation & Compliance

• Unauthorized distribution of DRM content can lead to copyright infringement, legal issues, and financial losses.
• DRM protection helps businesses comply with digital rights management (DRM) laws, copyright regulations, and industry standards.
• Protecting DRM-controlled content safeguards a company’s reputation by preventing leaks and unauthorized modifications.

10. Provides Content Usage Analytics

• Many DRM solutions include tracking and analytics features, helping content providers monitor how DRM-protected media is consumed.
• Digital rights management software helps businesses analyze user activity to refine marketing and content strategies.
• By tracking DRM-controlled content, providers can detect piracy attempts and enforce DRM security more effectively.

DRM Technology vs Copyright Laws

A common question arises: “Do I retain fair use rights?” Absolutely, copyright law still upholds your fair use rights. However, DRM may hinder the exercising of those rights. It’s not a copyright law implementation but a digital work protection system. As the fair use and first sale rights debate for digital materials continue, most DRM system creators steer clear of copyright law references in their products. Instead, DRM enforces licenses via software controls, reflecting grants expressible in a computer environment rather than traditional copyright law rights.

Imagine a license allowing up to five book pages to be copied. If you need six pages and believe fair use permits it, the software still restricts you to five. Unlike copyright law’s flexible nature, DRM systems are quantitative.

A notable contrast between DRM and copyright law, causing concern, is that copyright law outlines a few copying and performance rules, granting exclusive copyrights to rights holders and listing some exceptions. It doesn’t attempt to foresee every copyrighted work usage. DRM, on the other hand, operates oppositely. While copyright law implies “everything not forbidden is permitted,” DRM adopts the “everything not permitted is forbidden” stance. With DRM, actions like printing must be explicitly granted; otherwise, the system disallows it. DRM developers see this as a necessary security measure, but it carries significant implications for future protected work usage.

Picture a decade from now, when computers project displays onto any surface instead of using screens. If the DRM technology system doesn’t recognize this as an allowed action for a specific digital resource, it won’t permit viewing on future computers. Consequently, it might become impossible to view the resource at all, as the DRM controls won’t acknowledge the technological shift. This potential DRM and innovation interaction could suppress both innovation and access to intellectual resources.

The need for Multi DRM encryption?

Not all viewers watch content on the same platform and browser. Each platform and browser support a single DRM encryption. To ensure complete coverage across all screens, multiple DRM encryptions are required. MPEG Common Encryption (MPEG-CENC) standard makes DRM implementation effective. MPEG-CENC allows multiple DRM encryptions on a single video. It’s up to the video player to decide which encryption must be activated based on the platform/browser. In fact, Apple browsers and devices are exceptions to the MPEG-CENC standard, which instead require HLS packaging.

How Industries are benefiting from DRM Technology?

eLearning Organizations: They have a great need to apply Video DRM solutions as they are the most vulnerable. Making an educational video is itself a tedious task and protecting it from piracy is again a technical mechanism. This technical mechanism is hard to implement and most of the eLearning platforms use services from DRM enabled secure video hosting providers like VdoCipher.

Standard Organizations: National standard organizations or industry associations have the most pertinent information that professionals need. Companies and professionals pay subscriptions or membership fees to access these documents. Such organizations need to have their documents, audio, video files encrypted so that only authorized members access them. A DRM solution can be useful to secure these contents down for a certain audience.

Media & Publishing: For media and publishing houses, content is everything. Protecting the content is their bottom line. Unfortunately, the content gets shared with subscribers, and there arises leaks, piracy, unauthorized access and more. This holds the same for self-book publishers.

Financial Services: Financial institutions like insurance companies, equity firms, asset management companies need to protect the data of their clients and shareholders. Solutions like ‘Dropbox’ secure the portals where clients access the files but don’t protect individual files once downloaded. A DRM solution protects the downloaded files, irrespective of where they get saved or stored.

DRM Technology Terminologies

• Content Encryption – The process of converting media into an unreadable format using cryptographic algorithms (e.g., AES) to prevent unauthorized access.
• Content Key – A secret key used to encrypt and decrypt media content. It is never exposed directly to users.
• License Server – A server that securely stores content keys and provides them to authorized users after validating permissions.
• Content ID – A unique identifier assigned to each media asset, used to map it with its encryption key in the DRM system.
• CDM (Content Decryption Module) – A secure “black box” inside browsers/devices (e.g., Widevine CDM) that decrypts content without exposing keys.
• Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) – A secure area in hardware/OS where sensitive operations like decryption are performed safely.
• Secure Video Path – A protected pipeline ensuring decrypted video cannot be intercepted during playback (prevents screen capture at hardware level).
• Hardware DRM vs Software DRM – Hardware DRM uses secure chips (more secure), while software DRM relies on OS/browser-level protection.
• HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) – Apple’s streaming protocol required for FairPlay DRM, uses .m3u8 playlists.
• MPEG-DASH – A streaming protocol commonly used with Widevine DRM.
• CMAF (Common Media Application Format) – A unified format enabling compatibility between HLS and DASH using fragmented MP4.
• Segmented Streaming – Video is split into small chunks (segments) for adaptive delivery and encryption.
• AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) – The standard encryption algorithm (typically 128-bit) used in DRM systems.
• CENC (Common Encryption) – A standard that allows the same video to work with multiple DRM systems (Widevine, PlayReady).
• CBCS (Cipher Block Chaining – Subsample) – An encryption mode required by Apple FairPlay for HLS streaming.
• CTR Mode (Counter Mode) – Another AES encryption mode commonly used in DASH streaming.
• Widevine DRM – Google’s DRM system used on Chrome, Android, and most browsers.
• FairPlay DRM – Apple’s DRM system used on Safari, iOS, and macOS.
• Multi-DRM – Using multiple DRM systems together to support all devices and browsers.
• License Request (Challenge) – A request generated by the player/CDM to obtain a decryption key.
• License Response – The encrypted response from the license server containing the content key.
• Forensic Watermarking – Invisible watermark embedded in video to identify the source of leaks.
• Dynamic Watermarking – Visible watermark (e.g., user email/IP) displayed during playback.
• Geo-blocking – Restricting content access based on user location.
• Session-based Security – Binding content access to a specific session/device to prevent sharing.

Signs of DRM issues while using Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Mac, etc

• No sound, but the title plays
• Background sound but no dialogue
• Disc stucks on the title page or loading screen
• The movie stops in the middle of playback, or scenes play out of order
• The video freezes or skips
• Pixelated or distorted picture
• Troubleshooting DRM issues on Hotstar, DR-1100 Playback Error
• This error generally occurs due to a downgraded Hotstar app or an unsupported device. To watch DRM protected videos, one needs to have a DRM supported device and a valid Disney+ Hotstar subscription.

Fix DR-1100 error on Android Phone & TV

• Update or download the latest Disney+ Hotstar app
• Install the DRM Info app from the Google play store and check the security level. DRM content will only play if the security level is L1, not L2 OR L3.
• Try to replay the video title again in the Hotstar app and if it shows an error, then try using a different browser. Also, verify that the device isn’t rooted.
• On clearing Data/Cache followed by TV OS update and restart, the error is fixed on Android TV.

Netflix Error N8156 6013

Sometimes while playing videos on Netflix via a web browser, an error is thrown. “Whoops, something went wrong… Digital Rights Management (DRM) Error. We’re sorry, but there is a problem playing protected (DRM) content. The date on your computer is 12/17/2012, which may be incorrect. Please correct the date on your computer and try again.”

This error is related to the Silverlight plugin used by the browser to play Netflix. It requires using a browser supporting HTML5. (Edge, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

Fix error on Mac computers

• Quit all browser instances
• Go to Library/Application Support/Microsoft/ folder
• Under it, delete the PlayReady folder
• Verify that you have the administrative rights on your OSX profile
• Try to replay the video title again and if it shows an error then try using a different browser.

Fix error on Windows computer

• Quit all browser instances
• Search C drive for mspr.hds
• Under search results, delete all the mspr.hds files
• Verify that you have the administrative rights on your Windows user account
• Try to replay the video title again and if it shows an error then try using a different browser.
  Amazon Prime Video Error 7235 on Chrome
• Make sure the Chrome web browser is up to date. Navigate to Settings > About Chrome for the available browser updates.
• Type chrome://components in the chrome web browser and hit enter. Under Widevine Content Decryption Module, click ‘Check for Update’. Install any available update.

FAQs:

What is TPM DRM?

Trusted Platform Module TPM (ISO/IEC 11889) is a dedicated microcontroller to provide security capabilities at the hardware level using integrated cryptographic keys. Generally speaking, the term refers to a chip conforming to the standard. DRM tools use TPM functionalities like device authentication. Windows Defender, software license enforcement, Windows Domain Logon and many more use TPM chips.

How to check if a video is DRM Protected in Windows 10?

• Select the desired multi-media file
• Right-click on the file and select ‘Properties’
• Select the ‘Details’ tab and scroll down to the ‘Protected’ selection.
• The ‘Protected’ field will show ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. ‘Yes’ indicates DRM protected file.

Why CENC standard allows two encryption modes, AES-CTR and AES-CBC?

We use both the standards for encrypting video content and are not compatible with one another. It is due to the encryption cipher supported by each DRM system. However, Apple FPS supports only AES-CBC, while Google Widevine supports both modes. Service providers deliver content to various devices using HLS or MPEG DASH streaming format, which vary in support of DRM systems. To cater to this fragmentation, CENC allows both modes.

What is DRM encryption?

DRM encryption is a method of securing digital content by encoding it so that only authorized users with the proper decryption key can access it.

What is DRM in digital media?

DRM in digital media ensures that music, movies, eBooks, and other online content are used only in compliance with licensing agreements, preventing piracy and unauthorized sharing.

What is digital rights management in Android?

Digital Rights Management in Android refers to the DRM technologies used by Android devices, such as Google Widevine, to secure streaming content and prevent unauthorized copying.

How can users legally access DRM-protected content?

Users can legally access DRM-protected content by purchasing or subscribing to licensed services, using authorized devices, and following the terms of use specified by content providers.