VWB Blog There’s a common misconception around digital rights management or DRM. Many brands depend on DRM technology to secure digital assets and protect intellectual property. DRM systems fulfill several operations uses that some businesses may even neglect to consider.
With the uptick in cloud-based content sharing platforms and OTT services, DRM is only poised to grow, making it more critical for enterprises and consumers alike. Digital rights management as an industry could likely expand as our understanding of DRM continues to evolve and our content consumption and sharing habits grow. To learn why DRM systems and solutions are still relevant in 2021, here’s what you should keep in mind.
1. Digital rights management helps enable your right to ownership.
In many cases, content and digital media are created with global aspirations in mind. After all, if content can reach a global audience, that’s a much larger potential audience than a regional or national one. However, that global distribution pattern can also be a double-edged sword for some businesses. It makes it harder to track down the original owner of any given piece of content. Concerning enterprise intellectual property, DRM software can help prevent questions of a brand’s source authenticity. For creators, you must avoid these concerns by investing in a DRM system in the first place.
2. DRM solutions can help enforce copyright law.
DRM solutions might not be as high-tech as you may guess. However, for a copyright holder, an effective DRM platform may make it easier to watermark content for playback and helps enforce copyright law to protect your brand against instances of unauthorized use. This is especially important, being that piracy is a legitimate concern for global copyright holders. While it’s essential to give consumers the freedom to interact with content conveniently and satisfyingly, you always want to ensure your work isn’t being reappropriated without proper compensation. Enforcing laws like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it easier for you to uphold these standards.
3. Digital rights management can help you monetize content.
If you give the customer a choice between a paid service and unethical free access, they’re likely to choose the option that affords them more freedom. Widespread critical delivery systems and OTT content platforms make it easier for consumers to find low-cost, ethical solutions to digital assets like eBooks, streaming DVDs, and photo files. DRM can also help you restrict specific content to select audiences. For example, you may run a subscription service with content only suitable for a particular age group, and DRM can help prevent unauthorized use or access.
4. DRM helps you streamline your partnerships.
Data security is a crucial concern during M&A transactions and third-party partnerships. After all, data leaks can compromise brand reputations and risk IPs and trade secrets. Third-party partnerships are often at the root of enterprise data breaches which is why leading brands depend on DRM to limit risk and streamline partnerships without significant security concerns.
5. DRM systems help raise content ownership awareness.
These days, it’s all too easy for consumers to focus more on content and less on creators. However, a well-implemented DRM system can help raise awareness of content encryption, decryption, download policies, and fair usage standards. In addition, these DRM tools can help individuals learn more about author rights concerning digital assets and how to source or credit original creators or IP holders appropriately. It’s a necessary inclusion for many global brands and burgeoning enterprises.
Though plenty of people would have you believe that DRM technology is becoming less relevant, that couldn’t be further from the truth. DRM solutions are integral to enterprise success, and that’s unlikely to change shortly.