The first ever Center for Content Protection (CCP) for the Asia Pacific (AP) region has been established in Singapore to act as the region’s technical organisation devoted to content protection technologies, policies and standards.
Officially launched at the Digital Future Symposium that was held in parallel with the Asia Television Forum in Singapore on Wednesday, The CCP is envisioned to be a clearinghouse and resource center for information related to all aspects of digital distribution and content protection covering resources information for the region.
Isa Seow, Director for the CCP told journalists at the launch that the primary role for this center would be to network disparate digital content and to project “one voice” pertaining to all content protection issues.
“Movie studios and television broadcasters are highly motivated to meet the dynamic demands of the entertainment consuming public - an increasingly large, disparate, and demanding audience. Consumers receive content through an ever-increasing number of paths and wish to enjoy it on an ever-increasing variety of devices - this challenges the industry to provide technological solutions to deliver and protect content in a flexible, consumer-friendly, interoperable manner. We hope that the Centre for Content Protection can be a resource that helps the relevant industries meet and exceed consumer expectations,” said Jim Williams, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Motion Picture Association of America in a prepared statement.
The Center, which will be fully regional in its application, was chosen to be housed in Singapore due to the nation’s central location, tech savvy population, supportive government policies and the availability of infrastructure and human resource.
“With digitalization of content, intellectual property protection will become increasingly critical, particularly in safeguarding the rich cultural diversity and creative output in Asia… The CCP is a testament to Singapore’s standing as a secure media hub which respects intellectual property. It will further enhance our value proposition as a trusted media partner,” said Dr.Lee Boon Yan, Singapore’s Minster for Information, Communication and the Arts at the opening of the Asia Media Festival 2007/Asia Television Forum 2007.
The over-arching goals for the Centre are to expand consumer viewing choices by promoting technological measures that permit secure distribution of digital television; educating the public on the “digital transition”; and supporting technical solutions for legal downloads, home networking and remote access. The CCP will also discuss anti-piracy technological solutions where members within the organization can network and share knowledge on content protection and expand outreach programs within the region.
The CCP will first have an online offering of core services it provides to all members in its first year. Further it will produce electronic materials, white papers, create networking channels for its members, and hold events and conferences. The Directors will also seek to finalise its Primary Advisory Committee, comprised of content and technology-related entities, which will lead the organization.
“More sophisticated content security is becoming essential in Asia-Pacific to help fuel the content creation and broadcast industry,” said Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer, Verimatrix.
“With accepted standards in place, content owners gain confidence, innovative business models are launched and consumers gain access to high-quality content when, how and where they want it. Verimatrix is proud to be a member of the CCP. We believe the Centre will prove to be an important resource for the industry as new pay-TV business models, like IPTV, gain traction.”
Looking ahead, the Centre will publish a set of basic “primer documents,” map relevant players in the region, offer projects and opportunities in the area and hold a major regional conference on the subject of content protection in Singapore. T
The cost for membership is USD 2500 and application information can be found at www.contentprotection.net .
SDA Asia understands that there are currently no members who have signed up for this membership as of yet.
The Digital Future Symposium is an anchor event of the Asia Television Forum which is part of the Asia Media Festival held in Singapore from 14 November to 4 December 2007 comprising events for both trade professionals and consumers.
Hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA), the Festival offers opportunities for the media industry to share best practices, forge strong business networks and foster international collaborations. |
