An interpreted approach to multimedia streams protection

Exploiting experiences accumulated during MPEG-4 Structured Audio [1] [5] process of standardization and OCCAMM [2] European project related to multimedia content protection, this paper proposes a new approach to Intellectual Property Management and Protection (IPMP) of multimedia content streams. The definition of a sort of C-like language for IPMP tools description is proposed. The core of such language shall be a set of IPMP-primitives able to be combined and provide all the range of functionality required during content consumption. The suggested approach will also allow an implementation independent method of complexity evaluation. Moreover, a sort of IPMP Scene Description Language is here suggested as a suitable solution for the formalization of interactions between different IPMP tools cooperating during the process of content consumption. The potential effectiveness of the above-mentioned structured approach has been recognized by the MPEG working group through the addition in the current IPMP Extensions Committee Draft of the opportunity for a structured description of IPMP tools.