DRM Client Encryption Key Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital rights management (DRM) methods are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to decryption of content at the transport layer, making it susceptible to attacks by debugging tools, and require significant user or administrator effort for key management and authentication.
Innovation Solution
A secure end-to-end protocol with embedded encryption keys is implemented, where the DRM client encrypts and decrypts messages within software applications, using a unique identifier and encryption key pair to authenticate and authorize access to protected content, ensuring messages remain encrypted through the network and operating system, and employing DRM client diversification to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSL protocol is used to encrypt data at the transport layer, then data transmission security is improved, but content becomes vulnerable to debugging tools that can intercept and alter decrypted data in the operating system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves encryption from the transport layer to the application layer, changing the dimensional level at which security is implemented. This allows encryption to occur after data leaves the application, preventing exposure to OS-level debugging tools while maintaining transmission security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the encryption process by implementing it within the application software itself rather than relying on system-wide transport layer encryption. This creates a dedicated encryption boundary that isolates sensitive data from general OS vulnerabilities.
2Reliability
If PKI infrastructure is established on a user's system to limit access to electronic content, then content access control is improved, but significant effort is required from users or system administrators to load encryption keys and configure the system
Solution Approach 1:
The DRM client automatically performs authentication and key management operations without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures by embedding authentication credentials directly in the client software, eliminating the need for users to manually load keys or configure security settings.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication credentials and encryption keys are pre-configured and embedded in the DRM client during software distribution. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for users to perform configuration actions when installing or using the software.
3Adaptability or versatility
If SOAP protocol with XML format is used to define message transmission, then message format standardization is improved, but message length increases with additional overhead beyond basic authentication information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential authentication elements needed for DRM operations, removing the verbose XML wrapping and SOAP protocol overhead. This results in compact binary messages that contain only the necessary authentication data without redundant formatting.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a system and method for digital rights management using a secure end-to-end protocol with embedded encryption keys are described. A DRM framework may implement a secure end-to-end protocol configured to protect messages sent between trusted endpoints by encrypting and decrypting the messages within software applications executing on each trusted endpoint. An encryption key embedded within a binary representation of a DRM client may be used by the DRM client to encrypt and decrypt messages sent over the secure protocol. The DRM client may request authentication using the secure protocol and receive an authentication token used by the DRM client to acquire a license to view protected content. The encryption key may be chosen from a pool of encryption keys and embedded in the DRM client during the software build process for the DRM client. The secure protocol may be designed according to Representational State Transfer guidelines.