Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Architecture for Protection of Content Via Watermarks

Michael Epstein

Raymond Krasinski

Philips Electronics

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Outline

• Problem Statement

• A Simple System

• A Comprehensive System

• The Vacation Home Scenario

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Problem Statement

• Prevent the copying of “copy never” content

– Pressed disks (purchased DVD)

– Video on demand/Pay-per-view

• Prevent improper copying of “one generation”

content

• Prevent the Internet re-transmission to the public

of “broadcast content”

• Allow personal use when appropriate

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Watermark Description

• An indelible mark that carries information

• Does not interfere with the use of content

• Should be difficult to remove

– Without destroying the content

• Should be difficult to write

• Should be inexpensive to find

– If you know the secrets

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Watermark-States

• Watermark

– Copy never

– Copy one generation

– Unlimited copies, do not transmit over the Internet to the

public

• No watermark means no technical restrictions at all

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Copy Never Watermark System(Record Control)

Pressed disk (CNWM-ROM)

DVD Player

DVD Recorder

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Copy Never Watermark System(Play Control)

Pressed disk (CNWM-ROM)

DVD Player

DVD Recorder

Non-compliant DVD Recorder

R/RW disk (CNWM-R/RW)

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Copy Never Watermark System

• Record Control– DVD recorder will not record “copy-never”

watermarked disk

• Play control– Even if a copy is made on an R or RW disk then:

• DVD player will not play • DVD recorder will not play

• Legacy player or recorder will ignore all watermarks

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Assumptions

• It is difficult to transmit video across the Internet

without using lossy compression technologies

• Watermark detectors will only exist in certain

critical locations

– Storage devices or some class of storage devices

– Displays

• It will be desirable to use licensed/regulated

storage and display devices

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Comprehensive System (1)

UWM

DVD Recorder

HDTV (RF)

Digital

Analog

UWM-recorded

DVD Player

DVD Recorder

UWM-recordedphysical

TelevisionReceiver

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Failure to Traverse the Internet

• Conversion to analog “alters” the watermark

• Compression “alters” the watermark

• Altered content will not be recorded

• Even if the content with an altered watermark is

recorded, the resulting content will not play

– In some cases altered watermark content will not be displayed

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Failure to Traverse the Internet

UWM-recorded

InternetInternet

UWM-altered

DVD Recorder

DVD Player

A/D

(compression)

Non-compliant DVD Recorder

DVD Player

Physical UWM

Digital altered

Analog altered

Physical altered

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Remote/Local Control

• Local content– Can be recorded

– Transmitted locally

• Remote content– Cannot be recorded

– Even if recorded cannot be played

• Appropriate use of remote content is enabled via controlled means– “vacation home scenario” should be enabled

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Comprehensive System (2)

InternetInternet

D/A

UWM

Storage Device

Remote Location

Near Location

UWM

HDTV (RF) Remote

Digital Remote

Analog Remote

HDTV (RF) Near

DisplayUnregulated

Device

Unregulated Demodulator

Philips Electronics March 5, 2003

Summary

• Multiple types of content must be protected– Copy never– Copy one generation– Unlimited copies

• Local use can be enabled – Including legacy devices

• Remote use can be prevented– Special arrangement needed for appropriate use

• i.e. vacation home scenario