DRM Series

Media Distribution
by: Lawrence Harte

Media distribution is the process of transferring information between a content providers and content users. The types of media distribution include direct distribution, multilevel (superdistribution) and peer to peer distribution.

Direct Distribution

Direct distribution is the process of transferring information between the content owner or controller and end users without the user of intermediary distributors. An example of direct distribution is the use of a fixed-satellite service to relay programs from one or more points of origin directly to terrestrial broadcast stations without any intermediate distribution steps.

Superdistribution

Superdistribution is a distribution process that occurs over multiple levels. Superdistribution typically involves transferring content or objects multiple times. An example of superdistribution is the providing of a music file to radio stations and the retransmission of the music on radio channels.

This article is Part 7 of a 9 Part Series
DRM Series List	Month

Digital Rights	Aug 06
Rights Management	Sep 06
Digital Assets	Oct 06
Media Identification	Nov 06
Security Processes	Dec 06
*DRM Systems*	Jan 07
*Media Distribution*	*Feb 07*
Rights Threats	Mar 07
Protocols and Standards	Apr 07

Peer to Peer Distribution

Peer to peer distribution is the process of directly transferring information, services or products between users or devices that operate on the same hierarchical level (usage types that have similar characteristics).

Media Portability

Portable media is information content (e.g. digital audio) that can be transferred to one or more media players.

28 Feb 2007 Definitions FREE at www.IPTVDictionary.com

Monitoring Media Distribution

Monitoring media distribution is the tracking of the transfer and/or use of media. Monitoring media distribution may include monitoring of broadcast signals, Internet tracking or usage monitoring.

Broadcast Monitoring

Broadcast monitoring is the process of receiving and reviewing media that is transmitted on a broadcast channel to determine if a particular media item has or has not been broadcasted. Broadcast monitoring may be performed to ensure an advertisement has been inserted on a broadcast television system as defined in an advertising agreement or broadcast monitoring may be used to ensure some media is not broadcast (e.g. licensed content). Broadcast monitoring typically involves scanning through a video or audio file for a watermark or other identifying characteristic.

Figure 1.22 shows how broadcast monitoring can be used to ensure that broadcast media is or is not broadcasted. This example shows that a studio uses a broadcast monitoring service to determine if media has been sent at a time when it is scheduled or if it is sent without proper authorization. The broadcast monitoring service or system provides a code to the studio or distributor who embeds the code into the media that will be transmitted by a television station. The broadcast monitoring service or system has located one or several receivers in geographic regions where the television signals are broadcasted. These receivers forward the code(s) to the broadcast monitoring service which creates a report of the systems or geographic areas where the program codes have been detected.

Internet Tracking

Internet tracking (web monitoring) is the process of receiving and reviewing media that is available on the Internet web to determine if a particular media item has or has not been made available. Web monitoring may be performed to ensure a banner ad has been inserted on a

Figure 1.22, Broadcast Monitoring Operation

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Figure 1.23, Web Monitoring Operation

web site as defined in an advertising agreement or web monitoring may be used to ensure some media is not available without proper licensing (e.g. licensed images). Internet tracking involves searching through web pages and looking for web pages or media files that have descriptive text, watermark images, file names or embedded links.

Figure 1.23 shows how Internet tracking can be used to ensure that media is or is not stored and distributed through the Internet. This example shows a company can search through multiple web sites using web crawlers to find web pages or media files that contain file names, watermarks or unique identifying patterns that are embedded

within their media contents. When the search program finds a match, it stores the web address to it can be investigated.

Usage Monitoring

Usage monitoring is the process of receiving and evaluating usage event information (e.g. start play and stop play) to determine the amount of usage of a product or service. Usage monitoring may be used to bill for services or to monitor if the product or service is being used as the license permits it to be used.

30 Feb 2007 Definitions FREE at www.IPTVDictionary.com

Figure 1.24, Usage Metering Operation

Usage metering is the process of tracking a quantity of service or material over a period of time or event period. Usage may be determined through the use of access control or through the triggering of events that occur when the product or service is used (event triggers). Media files may have usage triggers embedded in the media that result in the creation of an event record when the media is played or used where the event trigger is located. The event records may be stored in a log file or they may be sent to a monitoring device in real time if the device is connected to a network (such as to a television system).

Figure 1.24 shows how triggers may be used in media to track (meter) usage. This example shows that a media program creates event messages when certain functions (such as media play) are activated within a media program. This diagram shows that these events (such as starting the playing of a media item) are transmitted and stored in a database (on a web server in this example) to keep track of the usage. When the usage amount has exceeded the authorized limit, the user can no longer control the media.

Series Source:
Introduction to DRM
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