Dave Horvath
15 Aug 2007 19:08
Several record labels such as Sony Music and Universal Music have been courting with the idea brought about by a Seattle based company called Activated Content which places audio Watermarks on MP3 files. The purpose of these watermarks range from digital tracking of content, to marketing matrix that allow companies to get statistics on who has listened to their particular audio.
Audio watermarking works by placing an audio stream within the music itself that is not perceptible by the human ear, but can be read and deciphered by audio tracking software much easier than DRM standards. Since it becomes part of the audio, and not merely another layer within the audio, it becomes harder to strip it away, thereby leaving its mark to sit with the intended consumer. Should this same mark show up on another person's device, this could then give easier legal grounds for record companies to go after music pirates. The CEO of Activated Content states that it would take a user with a supercomputer and about a month's worth of time to be able to successfully Track down and remove an inserted watermark.
Earlier, Universal Music had declared that it was going to offer music without content protecting DRM on it. Universal is listed on Activated Content's website as a known partner. The CEO of Activated Content refused to comment on whether or not these DRM-free music offerings were going to have audio watermarks placed on them or not.
Additionally, although Activated Content has their own watermarking technology, it was announced that they have signed an agreement with Microsoft's research division, who is currently in charge of the development of DRM techniques and standards.
Source:
PCWorld