DRM Becoming an Issue for Mobile Content Delivery

Beep Science, a provider of mobile Digital Rights Management (DRM) solutions, launched a Mobile DRM Accelerator Initiative. The initiative is supported by leading media and rights organisations including: MTV, IMG, Tiscali and Zed Media. Not wanting a repeat of Napster with mobile content, Beep Science and major players in the media industry are championing the accelerated implementation of sufficient DRM solutions with mobile operators to prevent another potentially large revenue source being 'Napsterized'.

The initiative has been formed in order to 'kick-start' the secure and profitable distribution of mobile content by providing a direct channel for dialogue between content providers and mobile network operators.

"The media industry learnt some very hard lessons from the Internet," said Jan Rune Hetle, CEO, Beep Science. "By bringing together leading media players, the Mobile DRM Accelerator Initiative will prepare, engage and challenge network operators to ensure the multi-billion dollar mobile content market is fair and secures distribution of revenues throughout the value-chain. End-users have already shown their willingness to pay for mobile content, the industry has to leverage this by keeping the usage simple, fun and attractive. Mobile DRM is not about preventing usage with annoying security schemes, it's about encouraging and facilitating the use of authorised content and controlling the use of unauthorised content."

Odette Albani, Vice President Mobile Platforms, MTV agreed: "We need to avoid another 'Napster-like' scenario when utilizing the mobile network as a media channel. Content providers will be more willing to jump onboard if DRM is in place. Additionally, operators need to consider content tracking in order to assess the performance of the content provided, this leads directly to flexible content acquisition negotiations, based on success" "

Posted to the site on 19th March 2003