Introduction
As streaming services continue to grow in popularity, content creators and distributors are facing new challenges in protecting their intellectual property. One solution that has gained traction in recent years is forensic watermarking. In this article, we will discuss what forensic watermarking is, how it works, and why AB switching forensic watermarking is becoming increasingly important in the OTT industry.
What is Forensic Watermarking?
Forensic watermarking is a technique used to identify and track the source of unauthorized copies of digital media. A forensic watermark is an invisible and unique identifier that is embedded into the content during production or distribution. The watermark is imperceptible to the viewer and does not affect the quality of the content, but it can be detected by specialized software.
Forensic watermarking can be used for a variety of purposes, such as identifying the source of pirated content, tracking the distribution of content, and ensuring compliance with content licensing agreements.
How Does Forensic Watermarking Work?
There are different types of forensic watermarking techniques, but they all work by adding a unique identifier to the content. The identifier can be added to the audio, video, or both, and it can be embedded in different ways depending on the technique used.
In most cases, forensic watermarking is done during the encoding process, where the identifier is added to the content in a way that is imperceptible to the viewer. The identifier is then encrypted and stored in a database along with information about the content, such as the title, date of production, and distributor.
When the content is distributed, the forensic watermark can be detected by specialized software. The software can compare the identifier with the database to determine the source of the content and whether it is authorized or not.
AB Switching Forensic Watermarking
One of the challenges of forensic watermarking is that it can be circumvented if the pirate is aware of the technique used. For example, if the pirate knows that the watermark is added during the encoding process, they could simply record the content before it is encoded and distribute the unmarked copy.
To address this issue, AB switching forensic watermarking has been developed. AB switching involves encoding two versions of the content, one with the watermark and one without. The content is then randomly switched between the two versions during playback, with no visible or audible interruption to the viewer.
The benefit of AB switching is that it makes it much harder for pirates to circumvent the watermarking technique. If the pirate records the content before it is encoded, they will only have the version without the watermark. If they record the content after it is encoded, they will have both versions but will not know which version is the one with the watermark.
Example of AB Switching Forensic Watermarking
A real-life example of AB switching forensic watermarking can be seen in the streaming service HBO Max. HBO Max uses a technique called “dual watermarking,” which involves adding two separate watermarks to the content. One watermark is added during the encoding process, and the other is added during playback using AB switching.
The first watermark is added to the video during the encoding process, and it includes information about the title, episode number, and other metadata. The second watermark is added using AB switching during playback, and it includes a unique identifier that is specific to the user’s account.
The benefit of this technique is that it allows HBO Max to track the distribution of content to individual user accounts. If a user shares their account with someone else or if their account is compromised, HBO Max can trace the source of any unauthorized copies of the content back to the user’s account.
Conclusion
Forensic watermarking is an important tool for content creators and distributors in protecting their intellectual property in the OTT industry. While traditional digital rights management (DRM) solutions are effective in preventing unauthorized access to content, forensic watermarking offers an additional layer of protection by identifying the source of unauthorized copies.
AB switching forensic watermarking is becoming increasingly important in the OTT industry as it offers a more secure way of adding watermarks to content. With AB switching, content is encoded with two versions, one with the watermark and one without. The content is then randomly switched between the two versions during playback, making it much harder for pirates to circumvent the watermarking technique.
Overall, forensic watermarking is an essential tool in the fight against piracy and unauthorised distribution of content in the OTT industry. As streaming services continue to grow in popularity, it is crucial for content creators and distributors to use all available tools to protect their intellectual property and ensure compliance with content licensing agreements.
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