Digital Rights Management - DRM

[Barron]

I'm looking at some packages for doing DRM but the only solutions I am finding require a Windows SQL server.

I'm not looking at a service that will do the encoding for me, I am looking for solution that I can use in house that will work with MySQL.

Does anyone have suggestions on what product to use?

[Cleo]

A bit off topic but I'm curios. Will these DRM protected files play on other systems besides Windows?

[cd34]

For protecting .wmv, yeah, Microsoft doesn't like to support other platforms. Something about a lack of a revenue stream.

Helix (real network's spinoff opensource code) does support DRM on multiple platforms including embedded processes. But then, you'd have to use RealMedia codecs which some people dislike.

Apple does have their AAC container which can be wrapped around quicktime movies, but, I haven't seen any publically available DRM solution from them, unless you count ITunes.

So, DRM for .wmv pretty much requires Microsoft's Windows Media Player. For linux, you can run it in Crossoffice/Wine. As for Mac, I don't think there is a freebsd emulator/api other than vmware, at which point you're running windows anyhow.

[Barron]

Originally Posted by Cleo

A bit off topic but I'm curios. Will these DRM protected files play on other systems besides Windows?

They are suppose to play an any system that Windows Media Player 9 will run on.

I dont have a Mac, but if Media Player will work on a Mac, then it should play for you.

Your a good person to ask Cleo, would you, or do you think there would be a market for offering a DRM service?

[Barron]

Originally Posted by cd34

For protecting .wmv, yeah, Microsoft doesn't like to support other platforms. Something about a lack of a revenue stream.

Helix (real network's spinoff opensource code) does support DRM on multiple platforms including embedded processes. But then, you'd have to use RealMedia codecs which some people dislike.

Apple does have their AAC container which can be wrapped around quicktime movies, but, I haven't seen any publically available DRM solution from them, unless you count ITunes.

So, DRM for .wmv pretty much requires Microsoft's Windows Media Player. For linux, you can run it in Crossoffice/Wine. As for Mac, I don't think there is a freebsd emulator/api other than vmware, at which point you're running windows anyhow.

I'm pretty much stuck with windows media player, that Im sure of, but that isnt a bad thing. I just dont want to use Windows SQL server for the keys. I was hoping for a solution for MySQL to serve the keys.

Your right on Quicktime, I found nothing on it except for itunes.

[Cleo]

If it worked seamless across browsers and platforms I would thing that there would be but none of the ones that I have seen do.

I don't think the DRM protected WMV movie files would play on a Mac. I know for sure that the DRM protected WMV music files do not. The Mac version of WMP does not support DRM.

The post by cd34 is very informative, he really knows his stuff.

Why do people hate RealPlayer so much? The Mac version is actually very nice, don't know about the Windows version, and works really well, much better then WMP or even QuickTime for steaming media.

[Cleo]

Yeah I've been reading lots of bitching that Apples hasn't opened up AAC.

With Tiger coming out next month and Apple going on about the wonders of QuickTime 7 with H.264 maybe something is in the works but that doesn't help at all with what you are doing. http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/quicktime.html

I noticed that ABEN uses RealPlayer for their Mac customers.

[cd34]

Originally Posted by Cleo

The post by cd34 is very informative, he really knows his stuff.

I know how to use google really really well.

[Barron]

I havent loaded Realplayer in years, but earlier versions literally took over a windows machine. The last time I loaded it, the only thing comparable to the intrusion it does/did, is very much like AOL, spyware, and adware is today. It was very intrusive and resource consuming.

Caveat: I havnt loaded Real player in years, so I no clue about how well or bad Real Player is now. I only know that I am soured on it and wont load it on my production machine and I will only load it so I can test the DRM for Real Player on another box.

I am planning DRM for Real Player, but the first step is getting WMP/wmv to working first.

cd34, Your post is very imformative, thanks!

[cd34]

Originally Posted by Barron

I just dont want to use Windows SQL server for the keys. I was hoping for a solution for MySQL to serve the keys.

DRM is supposed to talk with an ODBC compliant database. MySQL will talk ODBC, however, I think that Microsoft's DRM does a check with the vendor header in the packets and prevents using non Microsoft software in their solution. There also used to be a restriction that the DRM server could not be the same machine as the MSSql machine.

I believe all of Microsoft's DRM implementations specify a dual server setup, however, I cannot find anything on their site that states that anymore.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/drm/

[Barron]

I'm not as informed on Microsoft products as I should be. The requirement I read on Microsofts websites says that a "Windows Server 2003" is required. I assume thats for the SQL. If IIS will run on Server 2003, I dont think two severs is neccessary, but I will look into it.

Nice heads up, thanks : )

[ClickBuster]

Barron, you should search for a software solution that uses ADO libraries for it's SQL work. That way you're database independent. Although, I'm not very informed on the subject, but it's something that came to my mind. I think there should be that kind of solutions for people that want to get Oracle for instance, but the good thing is it would allow the usage of MySQL as well

-- Andrew

[JMK]

As far as I know Windows Server 2003 Web Edition is what you need

[Barron]

This is what I have learned so far. The testing comes this weekend.

Not one, but two local Certified Microsoft Resellers have clammed up and stopped returning my calls.

Windows 2003 Server is required because it comes with the .dll's that produce the key. But, you have to enable the process.

However, there seems to be a downloadable plugin from Microsoft that you can load on any Windows server. I'll test that this weekend.

On an obscure thread on an obscure message board somewhere, there was a hint that php can be used to access the 2003 Server to generate the license's and feed them back to php and mysql. Again, I start writing the scripts and testing this weekend.

Aquireing the DRM license key from Microsoft seems to be the hardest part of the process. I'm still not exactly clear on everything. Microsoft's website is full of info on what DRM is, how to encode, and gives detailed instructions on the processes involved. But, the cloak and dagger stuff starts when the subject of "License Server" comes up.

However, it seems that a license key isnt neccassary at all. You can create you own key, but when the video is played that user gets a really nasty warning that the "the software being installed is may be harmful to your computer". You know what will happen then, everyone will click cancel.

But, thats all I have so far until I start testing my assumptions on how all of this works. Also, I notice that this thread is not getting any, "I have done this go here for instructions". Which pretty much makes me think that either, the whole process is cloak and dagger, or there is tons of money to be made and no one is going to let out how the process of making it work is done. Which only serves to strengthen my resolve to get it working.

But, given a little time I will figure it out.


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[Cleo]

So has anyone looked into DRM from RealPlayer?

[ArtWilliams]

Originally Posted by cd34

So, DRM for .wmv pretty much requires Microsoft's Windows Media Player. For linux, you can run it in Crossoffice/Wine. As for Mac, I don't think there is a freebsd emulator/api other than vmware, at which point you're running windows anyhow.

I believe you can use mPlayer to view but not copy these types of files. mPlayer is available for both Linux and Windows ... Art

[Cleo]

I'm pretty sure that mPlayer will not play DRM files as VLC also will not but I have not actually tried.

Best I can tell nothing but Windows WMP will play them.

Also I think Wine only works for Linux running on CISC chips like the ones from Intel.

[Barron]

Cleo is that true? About wine I mean. I'm ordering a new box so I can run Linux on the desktop because I've been told that wine is greatly improved and is as good as vmware now.

Which brings me to Redhat 9. Is anyone running this with wine? I intended to install freeBSD. Opinions anyone?


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[Cleo]

I don't run Linux so I don't really know a lot about it or Wine but from what I do understand Wine is not an emulator but an instruction set for the chip.

Something about BigEndian LittleEndian which involves the byte order of code or something.

As long as Windows runs on the chip you should be find but it will not work on RISC chips like the PowerPC chips like from IBM and Motorola.

[Barron]

Originally Posted by Cleo

I don't run Linux so I don't really know a lot about it or Wine but from what I do understand Wine is not an emulator but an instruction set for the chip.

Something about BigEndian LittleEndian which involves the byte order of code or something.

wow! thats a little beyond my expertise. I just wish I could justfy the cost of the vmware key. It would make life so much simpler.


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[cd34]

artwilliams,
mplayer and gmplayer do play .wmv files, but not DRM encoded files. And, to my knowledge, they do not intend to support anything that doesn't give free use.

Barron,

Wine does work for many things. You could play windows media player (I think). Crossover Office is the commercial counterpart and does do better. If you are looking for a linux distribution, and are windows-centric, consider Xandros Deluxe (It comes with crossover office which allows you to run almost all of the windows apps 'natively') Its about $90, but, is very well done.

Going across architectures, i.e. powerpc, etc. isn't going to work, but, if you stick with X86 or Opteron, you should be ok.

[cd34]

its called Helix, and their DRM utility (at least what I have seen) hasn't been released publically through helixcommunity.org. I think Glaser's business model right now is one of content protection and delivery, through their own network, and hasn't been very inclined to not be involved in the delivery of content.

Microsoft's DRM is regrettably one of the more widely used platforms, and as such, there is some black art behind it.

Baron, I can understand the reluctance of people telling you how to compete with them. These guys paid a lot of money to become certified partners, take the training, set up the infrastructure, pay for licenses, buy their certificate and have things work.

With that said, php can talk over odbc. Microsoft does have full documentation of the SDKs available on their web site. Buy a copy of W2k3 (I am not entirely sure Web Edition supports WMS/DRM, I thought somewhere I read it required a more expensive copy), register and download the SDKs and experiment with it. Its been a while since I've worked with DRM and it has improved greatly, but, right now, its not a project that is in my short-term view.

[Barron]

Originally Posted by cd34

Microsoft's DRM is regrettably one of the more widely used platforms, and as such, there is some black art behind it.

Baron, I can understand the reluctance of people telling you how to compete with them. These guys paid a lot of money to become certified partners, take the training, set up the infrastructure, pay for licenses, buy their certificate and have things work.

With that said, php can talk over odbc. Microsoft does have full documentation of the SDKs available on their web site. Buy a copy of W2k3 (I am not entirely sure Web Edition supports WMS/DRM, I thought somewhere I read it required a more expensive copy), register and download the SDKs and experiment with it. Its been a while since I've worked with DRM and it has improved greatly, but, right now, its not a project that is in my short-term view.

Yep! Thats what I'm doing. I've read, saved and printed everything I could get at Microsoft. The next step is to see if there is anything available from Microsoft Press yet. I'll be ready to start playing with it this weekend.

And your right, this is expensive. I when I have it working, I doubt that I'd post anything more than "it works"

Cleo, once I get this working, Real Player is next. If you'ld like, I'll keep ya updated.


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[Cleo]

Always interested in solutions that work on everything and not just Micro$oft or Apple.

cd34
Does iTunes work under Wine under Linux?

[ArtWilliams]

Originally Posted by cd34

artwilliams,
mplayer and gmplayer do play .wmv files, but not DRM encoded files. And, to my knowledge, they do not intend to support anything that doesn't give free use.

You are right about that cd34! There are a couple of versions of Linux which DO support it but they are not FREE (and part of the money in turn goes to M$ to pay for the rights!) -- quite a controversial subject in the Linux community especially amongst free software purists. ... art