Blu-ray Disc Association announces triple-protection Digital Rights Management schemes

By Dennis P. Barker

Digital TV Designline

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has announced that it is adopting the most comprehensive content management system ever employed on an optical disc format. By including three types of content protection, Blu-ray will reportedly put movie studios at ease while leaving consumers with the flexibility to manage and enjoy copies of their legally purchased content in high definition.

According to the Twentieth Century Fox press release last week announcing the release of movie/TV titles in the Blu-ray format, it cited the robust digital rights management of Blu-ray as a key factor in their decision. Presumably, this was also a factor with Disney support as well. Initially, the BDA selected AACS as the fundamental content protection technology for all Blu-ray Disc media. AACS provides a sophisticated content management tool that not only prevents illegal copying, but also enables flexible use of content in both consumer electronics and computer applications.

To complement the features of AACS, the BDA has also specified two additional technology layers for even more security: BD+ and ROM Mark. BD+ provides a supplemental method of renewability, the capability of updating individual playback device security if found to be compromised. ROM Mark is yet another layer that will help shut down illegal disc replication operations by marking legitimate discs with identifiers that must be detected by BD playback devices before playing.