Managing rights in the digital age: TechWatch publishes new report
The protection of rights over digital content is becoming increasingly visible to the general public as the rights controls associated with newer technologies such as DVD films and iPod music players start to make their presence felt. Technology, in the form of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems that enforce rights protection policies, has a major role to play. As both rights holders and rights users, however, universities and colleges often need both to grant and use their rights in ways that are not catered for by the 'blanket' approach of most commercial DRM systems, for example through fair dealing for non-commercial research, library privilege and exceptions for examinations.
Understanding DRM is therefore becoming increasingly important in education. There is, however, a crucial distinction to be made - between the expression of digital rights and the enforcement of digital rights - before the discussion of DRM can move forward. The aim of this TechWatch report is, firstly, to separate these two important digital rights concepts, and secondly, to investigate the expression of rights through the use of Digital Rights Expression Languages (DRELs).
The report concentrates on providing an introduction to DRELs, the technologies involved, and their possible use in higher and further education. It explains what DRELs are, the role they play and their generic structure as well as discussing the role of standards that are being applied to this area and the complex history and role of patents. It also discusses the differences between DRELs and Trust-based systems, which are exemplified by Creative Commons, and discusses the role of what are known as ‘soft’ rights which are widely used by education and, in particular, libraries.
Finally, the report concludes with some discussion of the potential future direction that DRELs may take. A number of scenarios are mapped out in which differing DREL technologies play a role in future DRM systems and the future interplay with Creative Commons is also discussed.
The report is available from the TechWatch website.