A Generalized DRM Architectural Framework

Abstract

Online digital goods distribution environment lead to the need for a system to protect digital intellectual property. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is the system born to protect and control distribution and use of those digital assets. The present paper is a review of the current state of DRM, focusing on architectural design, security technologies, and important DRM deployments. The paper primarily synthesizes DRM architectures within a general framework. We also present DRM ecosystem as providing a better understanding of what is currently happening to content rights management from a technological point of view. This paper includes conclusions of several DRM initiative studies, related to rights management systems with the purpose of identifying and describing the most significant DRM architectural models. The basic functions and processes of the DRM solutions are identified.

Keywords

• Digital Rights Management
• DRM architectural framework
• DRM functional description
• DRM key concepts