Asia Pacific Technology Initiatives
In many ways, the Internet represents the distribution dream for copyright owners – true video-on-demand via high-quality streaming or super-fast high-bandwidth downloads.
As with optical discs, however, the distribution dream is matched by the nightmare of unrestrained global piracy. Complicating matters are the lack of a unified legal system governing Internet commerce and traffic and the prospect of greater and greater network transmission speeds.
Because digital technology enables perfect replication and instant, widespread redistribution of entertainment, in order to minimize digital content theft it is important to implement secure content protection solutions that meet international standards.
Such standards need to be in place before cable and satellite operators begin digitally connecting set-top boxes to other consumer electronics devices in the home. Such standards need to be in place to regulate digital home networks that will connect a wide range of electronic devices capable of digital content reception and retransmission.
Additionally, since programs from analog outputs can be easily redigitized, perfectly copied and redistributed, the standards must include rights signaling for analog outputs to be used by downstream consumer electronics devices that read and honor such signaling.
Despite the unquestionable need for digital content protection technologies and standards, these technologies and standards also need to remain flexible. New technologies and new usage models demand that doors be as open as possible, rather than nailed shut. Consumer choice must be well served, and content protection must be unobtrusive, or consumers may migrate to unprotected content, and seek to actively circumvent content protection mechanisms.
Finally, copyright enforcement must be balanced by copyright education, with both governments and industry working together toward mutually agreed objectives that will protect intellectual property, foster creativity, and enable economic and societal growth.
MIKE ELLIS
Senior Vice President and Regional Director,
Asia-Pacific Motion Picture Association
For more information, contact:
Isa Seow
MPA Asia-Pacific
65-6253-1033