Xvid Solutions Promises Indelible 'Digital DNA' Watermark

VIDEOLAND—Xvid Solutions, a division of free video codec developer xvid, has announced the development of Xvid AutoGraph, which it says "automatically embeds a unique watermark into streamed or downloaded online video. The digital signature carries a customer-ID tag, acting as digital DNA that becomes an invisible but integral part of the video content itself. Hidden in every single video frame, it cannot be removed and is only extracted when needed to uncover, identify and expose an illegal uploader." The technology is being promoted as DRM that is not DRM, referring to digital rights management software that used to be the vogue in years past but which has fallen out of favor as a type of piracy protection that has been met with increased hostility by consumers. According to Michael Militzer, inventor of the Xvid video codec and co-founder of Xvid Solutions,  “Existing DRM doesn’t prevent illegal copies, it just prevents sales by pushing customers to look elsewhere for DRM-free content. In today's world where small, independent artists depend entirely on the success of their online sales but are hit hard by illegal file hosts paying incentives to pirate even the smallest, independent releases, it is time for something new. Something that is balanced, efficient and affordable and that does not criminalize the large majority of honest and loyal users like DRM does. So we came up with Xvid AutoGraph, a passive protection that just individually tags each video, turning every video copy into a valuable original." In an announcement issued today, the company further explains, "Watermarked video files are effortlessly created in real-time whenever a copy is viewed or downloaded, without affecting the video’s perceived visual quality. The hidden ID tag watermarked into the video will survive even sophisticated removal or masking means, including video filtering, format conversions, size and quality changes—all processing steps that are also common e.g. with spreading copies through tube services." The company also stresses that fair use for the consumer remains unrestricted, adding, "This includes portability and playability of the AutoGraph-protected video files on any kind of device or platform as protected files remain conventional video that do not require any special hard- or software for playback. Autographed files play when and wherever consumers want them to, with no prior registration, key exchange, special player or online connection needed." Available as a cloud-based web service as well as an on-site deployable software appliance, Xvid adds that the AutoGraph video protection is highly scalable and applicable to all video related business models. Interested content owners can go here, here and here for more information, and are also encouraged to contact the company for a demo of the piracy fighting technology.