Digital Rights Management (DRM) continues to be both important and controversial. For content developers like movie studios and record companies, DRM technologies are important because they can protect valuable video and music content from theft. However, for some consumers DRM remains controversial because of its alleged infringement on "fair use" rights. Whether DRM is "important" or "controversial," one thing is certain: demand for DRM solutions continues to increase. This report examines the current atmosphere surrounding DRM and content protection. It discusses the debate about "fair use" of content vs. piracy, defines DRM and conditional access, and identifies leading vendors and DRM systems. In addition, it presents the findings of a recent US consumer survey about DRM and DRM technologies, and examines key trends that will shape the market over the next twelve months.
