The Fraunhofer Institute has successfully developed a groundbreaking technique aimed at reducing copyright infringement of digital music online. This technology is designed for a widely used audio format today: MP3.
This is a software system that allows for monitoring music files during sharing on peer-to-peer networks. The software system is based on a unique digital watermarking technology created by the research team.
Although digital watermarking is not a new concept and is already employed by many music companies to label their products, this marks the first time that this technology is applied to track the sharing of audio files on peer-to-peer networks.
This technology enables digital music providers, such as music studios, to embed a “watermark” in the content of a music file as a proof of their legal copyright on that track. This “watermark” alters the content of the music, potentially increasing the volume of a specific segment slightly above normal levels. For images, it may brighten the color of a certain area. Additionally, this watermark contains a “randomized” number intended to create a link between the provider and the purchaser. This random number acts similarly to a fingerprint.
Personal Freedom?
Scientists at Fraunhofer state that this technique fundamentally does not violate personal freedom laws, meaning it does not track customers. It only monitors music tracks that are illegally uploaded for peer-to-peer sharing on the Internet. For instance, if you buy a copyrighted CD-ROM and lend it to a friend, and that friend copies and uploads that music online in a peer-to-peer format, the monitoring system will detect and trace that you are the one who illegally copied the music.
Downloaded tracks do not require oversight. You can only download when you have permission from the producer. Therefore, personal freedoms are not infringed upon, and you are not being monitored.
It is noted that this technology will be showcased next month at the Cebit trade conference.
TRAN HUY
