[opendtv] News: Sun pushes open-source DRM scheme

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/22/sun_open_source_drm/

Sun pushes open-source DRM scheme

By John Leyden
Published Monday 22nd August 2005 10:43 GMT

Sun Microsystems stepped into the fractious arena of digital 
copyright protection this week with plans for an open-source, 
royalty-free digital rights management (DRM) standard. The Open Media 
Commons initiative aims to address concerns that a growing number of 
incompatible download schemes might frustrate consumers and hold back 
growth in the download market.

To get the ball rolling, Sun is releasing its code from its Project 
DReaM (DRM/everywhere available) program under the open-source Common 
Development and Distribution License (CDDL). It's inviting other 
firms to join the initiative which involves the development of a 
device independent DRM standard - called DRM Opera - and user-based 
(as opposed to device-based) licensing.

Analysts said Sun would need to get content owners, software 
developers and device makers on board for the project to succeed. 
"It's important they're making this effort but what will be the proof 
points are when the rights holders (to the digital content) and 
device makers get on board," Gartner analyst Mike McGuire told 
Reuters.

Sun's initiative pushes into an arena already staked out by numerous 
players. Microsoft, Sony and Apple all have their own proprietary DRM 
technology while a consortium of telcos and handset makers are 
developing a DRM standard - called the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) - 
for mobiles. Meanwhile a group called Coral, which includes record 
labels and technology firms, is striving to establish DRM 
interoperability standards.
 
 
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