Italian broadcaster uses forensic watermarks to track down online hackers * TorrentFreak

Home > Anti-piracy >

Italian public broadcaster RAI will use NexGuard watermark technology to secure its content. The company is the first free-to-air broadcaster to implement NAGRA’s anti-piracy technology, which can trace the source of piracy online so that rights holders can take appropriate action in response.

The unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted content is a multi-billion dollar puzzle that companies in the entertainment industry are desperate to solve.

A lot of effort is made to block pirate sites and, occasionally, the operators of these services are sued.

The third application option is to go after the people who actually hack the content. Finding these sources is not always straightforward, but there are a few commercial tools that can help you.

One such anti-piracy solution is the NexGuard watermark solution from content security company NAGRA. This can be used by a variety of streaming platforms, including pay TV services and regular broadcasters.

Catch pirates with watermarks

NexGuard is used for Oscars filters and AMC Networks has also implemented the technology to protect its content. This week, NAGRA announced that Italian broadcaster RAI has also joined the platform. RAI is the first free service to use the watermark system to track down hackers.

“Our tattoo-based anti-piracy solutions are essential for RAI to effectively monitor copyright infringements and secure the value of content distributed via OTT / AVOD,” said Thierry Legrand of NAGRA, commenting on the news. .

The watermark is part of NAGRA’s larger anti-piracy suite which also includes legal services. The company has a lot of experience on this front. He has helped law enforcement shut down pirate IPTV services and, along with Dish, has also filed several lawsuits.

The watermark has been around for decades and some online hackers have been successful in getting around these types of obstacles. However, NAGRA informs TorrentFreak that their solution is quite effective and endorsed by Hollywood.

Achievements

Technology has already helped the Oscars prevent Oscar filter leaks. And if there are any leaks, audio and video watermarks can help trace them back to the source.

“We have many success stories showing how NAGRA’s NexGuard forensic watermark has held online hackers accountable,” a NAGRA spokesperson said, adding that the company could not provide further details without permission. of its customers.

“When a leak is detected, the trail to find the perpetrator is immediately activated. It helps create information that can bring together a view of how and where hackers get content and the types of devices they use, ”adds NAGRA.

In addition to making hackers accountable, watermarks can also act as a deterrent. While hardcore hackers aren’t easily deterred, these tracking options might scare off more casual offenders.

According to NAGRA, this is only the beginning of what is possible to protect copyrighted content. The company is convinced that these technological measures and others will help rights holders successfully fight piracy.