Streaming Media Segment Signing for Real-Time Piracy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-piracy measures for streaming media content, such as DRM, VPN detection, and watermarking, are inadequate in detecting unauthorized access and ad-blocking technologies disrupt ad revenue streams, leading to increased piracy and revenue loss.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a streaming media content tracking (SMCT) system that signs segments of media content with globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) to track provenance and determine unauthorized streaming sessions by verifying the appropriate signing servers based on media player location, using Common Media Client Data (CMCD) and Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DRM, VPN detection, and watermarking are used to enforce anti-piracy measures, then content security is improved, but detection speed and accuracy deteriorate due to latency and evasion capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding detectable markers and signatures into the media content and delivery infrastructure before piracy occurs. The system pre-configures tracking mechanisms that automatically detect unauthorized access attempts in real-time, eliminating the need for post-factum analysis and reducing detection latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors playback behavior, marker detection, and delivery patterns to identify piracy attempts. This real-time feedback loop enables dynamic response to unauthorized access, improving both detection speed and accuracy while maintaining content security.
2Reliability
If VPN detection and IP monitoring are used to prevent unauthorized access, then piracy prevention is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to privacy laws and geolocation obfuscation technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing specialized markers and signatures that act as mediators between the content delivery system and the piracy detection system. These markers provide reliable detection capabilities without relying on direct IP address or geolocation analysis, thereby maintaining accuracy despite privacy protections and obfuscation technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional mechanical detection methods (IP address analysis, geolocation tracking) with a digital signature and marker-based detection system. This substitution enables piracy prevention to function effectively regardless of network infrastructure, privacy laws, or location obfuscation techniques.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ad-blocking technologies are used to protect privacy and security, then user privacy is improved, but ad revenue streams are disrupted and monitoring accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the media delivery stream into distinct segments that can be individually marked and tracked. This allows the system to monitor specific portions of content for ad impressions and piracy attempts independently, maintaining tracking accuracy even when users employ ad-blocking technologies for privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses detectable markers and signatures as metaphorical 'color changes' in the data stream that make unauthorized access and ad blocking detectable. These markers are embedded in the content delivery protocol and remain visible to monitoring systems regardless of ad-blocking filters, enabling accurate ad impression tracking while respecting user privacy choices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein in which at least a subset of segments of streaming media content, such as streaming video content, are signed with identifiers for provenance purposes. By signing the segments, the segments may be tracked to determine, among other things, whether the segments being streamed to a media player during a streaming session are being played by the media player, where the segments are being played, and/or whether the streaming session is an unauthorized streaming session as a result of a piracy activity.