Video and music sharing boosts DRM

High demand for copying music and videos may boost the adoption of digital rights management (DRM) tools.

Some 59 per cent of online users want the ability to copy music while 54 per cent want to be able to copy videos, according to a study by Jupiter Research.

The figures suggest pent-up demand for video sharing and a potential revenue opportunity for producers of video content who make smart use of DRM.

The report, Consumer Attitudes on Video Ownership: Impact on DRM, indicates that, among consumers who purchase video and music products, far more value the ability to share their video purchases than music purchases.

Among those interested in copying video, 50 per cent want to share video with other people. Only 18 per cent of those interested in copying music point to sharing music as a primary driver for copying.

"Given the magnitude of the video media business, the economic stakes are enormous," said Jupiter Research analyst Todd Chanko.

"The upside is that consumers have also indicated a willingness to pay more to be able to copy and share both music and video. Content providers need to view DRM not only as a piracy prevention tool but as a way to create new revenue streams."