Digital Watermarking for Automated License Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods, such as fingerprinting, cannot verify the licensing terms of digital media used in derivative works, leading to ambiguity and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
The use of digital watermarking to explicitly define and determine license details, allowing for the direct extraction of licensing information from derivative works, ensuring compliance with licensing terms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fingerprinting is used to detect audio tracks in videos, then the name of the artist and song can be identified, but the actual licensing terms cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds licensing information within the media file itself by embedding a license identifier in the audio metadata, which can then be extracted and verified by the platform. This nested structure allows the licensing terms to be contained within the media file, similar to how a doll contains another doll, enabling direct verification without external databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary license identifier that bridges the gap between media identification and licensing verification. This license identifier acts as a mediator that contains encoded licensing terms, allowing the system to verify licensing status without directly accessing external licensing databases or requiring manual verification.
2Reliability
If manual verification of licensing terms is performed, then accurate licensing compliance can be ensured, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the media file itself carries its own licensing information through the embedded license identifier. The platform can automatically extract and verify this information without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in terms of licensing verification. This eliminates the need for manual review while maintaining accurate verification through automated extraction and comparison of licensing terms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by embedding the license identifier in the audio metadata before the media is uploaded to the platform. This advance preparation ensures that licensing information is already prepared and structured for automatic verification, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual verification processes later.
3Loss of information
If external licensing databases are queried for each media file, then complete licensing information can be obtained, but the verification process becomes complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts licensing information from external databases and embeds it directly within the media file as a license identifier. This extraction process moves the essential licensing terms from external sources into the media itself, allowing the platform to verify licensing by simply extracting and reading the embedded identifier without querying external databases, thereby simplifying the verification system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal license identifier that can be embedded in any audio file and verified by any platform using the same extraction and verification process. This multi-functional approach allows the same mechanism to work across different media types and platforms, reducing system complexity by providing a single, unified verification method rather than requiring separate processes for different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for license identification and verification uses watermarking technology to embed license information in the medium itself. Various techniques for the creation of the license are described. The Platform on which the media will be used can extract the watermark data and thereby identify and verify the license. The watermark data includes a certain minimal amount of license data. If further information is required, the Platform can use the watermark data to request additional license details from a Licensor or from a license server. Using this approach, the Platform can readily identify and verify that the media in its possession is properly licensed.