Verimatrix, a developer of content protection and security solutions based in San Diego, announced an additional level of digital watermarking capabilities that detect piracy to the culpable individual’s set-top box. As an optional component to the Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS), the user-specific digital watermarking system is the industry’s first to embed an electronic fingerprint in video content as it is played back at the set-top box.
Verimatrix protects content and video streams, as well as detects digital piracy at its point of origin, with carrier-class solutions designed specifically for today’s bi-directional IPTV networks. Verimatrix developed VCAS as a software-based content security solution built on the principles of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and X509 digital certificates combined with digital watermarks. VCAS inserts three different types of watermarks so that the complete history of a media file can be determined: within the primary data center, at each edge site (or point-of-presence), and a third watermark, called a user-specific watermark, on each client device.
The user-specific digital watermark is a machine readable electronic fingerprint, which is embedded in the video stream. The watermark is invisible to the naked eye, but survives the transition from digital to analog and also commonly-used transcoding methods. The absence of one or more watermarks means that acts of piracy are being conducted before the media file arrives at the individual’s set-top box.
“The IPTV market has gained so much momentum that content providers are now requiring operators to employ proven security measures before granting rights to premium content. The addition of user-specific watermarking to pinpoint individuals attempting to steal content has gotten the attention of IPTV operators and studios,” said Tom Munro, CEO of Verimatrix, who was appointed to the role in March 2005.
Verimatrix is also announcing its expansion into Europe with the opening of a sales and support office west of London. Verimatrix has an OEM relationship with Siemens AG.
