Pronunciation: di – juh – tuhl rites ma – nuhj – muhnt
Definition
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is an extensively used and trusted mechanism for protecting and restricting the use of various media assets. The technology is predominantly used to control and distribute varied copyrighted works, which include multimedia content and proprietary software. DRM technologies bring a sense of stability in the age of extensive file sharing and social media by enabling businesses and individuals to limit access to their digital assets.
The intention behind creating DRM software was to shield businesses from the negative results of unwarranted peer-to-peer file distribution. DRM is an extremely useful tool in protecting organizations from digital piracy.
How DRM works
Digital rights management software contains codes that limit or control the number of devices that can access the content or the product. Content creators, designers, authors, or business owners use DRM applications that encrypt data, media, software, videos, audios, images, or any copyrighted material from being freely used online.
Users can gain access to DRM-protected information by using decryption keys.
The following are some ways by which DRM allows you to protect products online:
Restricts users from sharing or saving content
DRM can be a powerful tool in the hands of business owners and content creators. Not only does it restrict users from copying and editing content, but it also protects information being forwarded or shared.
Sets an expiry date on media
DRM software enables business owners to set an expiry date by limiting its usage within a specific timeframe. For example, a video editing tool can be used for 15 days, post which the user has to buy the product.
Accessible only at desired locations
Another interesting feature that DRM technologies allow is limiting access to selected geographical locations. For instance, if your content or product is available in the US, users from other parts of the world will not be granted access to the information.
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Benefits of Digital Rights Management
While it is true that DRM code removal tools are easily available, content creators and business owners persist with it because of its manifold benefits. The following are some of the benefits of digital rights management:
Enhanced understanding of intellectual property and copyright
When users easily access content online, they are not worried about copyright or intellectual property. However, when companies use DRM, they communicate what the users can or cannot do with their content.
Authors can retain ownership of their content
A company or an individual can easily copy content that belongs to others online; however, with DRM, it is possible to stop companies and users from changing content and claiming it as their own. From scientists to business owners, DRM can protect from digital piracy.
Apart from these, DRM tools also benefit in the following ways:
- Helps streamline content
- Helps secure documents and files
- Fosters better licensing and agreements
How to use the term digital rights management in a sentence?
- The purpose of digital rights management technologies is to restrict and monitor how users interact with digital content.
- Digital rights management helps protect sensitive information from the public eye by keeping them private.
