Cinea Upgrades Its RunningMarks Encryption Technology

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Tue, 04/29/2008 - 20:00 -- Nick Dager

Cinea a subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories has announced that its Running Marks technology now enables traceable stream-specific forensic watermarking of encrypted content. The new approach allows Running Marks to embed a unique serial number into individual customer video streams without requiring providers or system operators to expose the high-value content in an unencrypted format. The new functionality enables distributors of on-demand content in the cable telecommunications satellite and video-download markets to provide a secure distribution chain that minimizes cost time and exposure to theft and piracy. Using a unique replacement-based architecture extends Running Marks' watermark information to encrypted compressed content for on-demand delivery. A watermark unique to each VOD stream is embedded into the encrypted video content as it leaves the VOD server environment. This watermark aids in pinpointing vulnerable touch points in the distribution chain in the event that the copyright-protected content is compromised. Our customers have inquired about watermark deployment within an encrypted environment since many motion picture studios and other high-value content providers mandate encryption as a part of their overall content protection requirements says Rob Schumann Cinea’s general manager. Running Marks allows system operators to meet content providers' stringent security requirements in an efficient and secure manner. Cinea's Running Marks replacement-based architecture offers a variety of compelling advantages including extensive flexibility to mark compressed content anywhere during the content distribution path as well as on delivery to a home media gateway. Running Marks' ultra-light message inserter consumes very few resources so that it can be implemented in VOD systems with little impact on the streams supported. Additionally the watermark system can be renewed at the content ingest points with no need to update the VOD or edge servers.