The Protection of Rights Management Information: Modernization or Cup Half Full?

Abstract

This paper shines light into an area of digital content that is often hidden from users: it discusses the background and issues surrounding Rights Management Information, which is widely used as part of a digital rights management strategy by publishers, along with technological protection measures, but it has been little studied in its own right. The World Intellectual Property Organization Treaties specifically address the protection of such information. Rights Management Information in the digital age has the capacity to offer all stakeholders in creative works, from creator to copyright owners and content users, additional control and flexibility over the use and appreciation of a work and dissemination of data about the rights in the content. This paper proposes that the technology available today for increased levels of Rights Management Information be utilized to do more than simply give additional protection for works from illicit exploitation; rather it should also address the protection of transparency, completeness, privacy and freshness in the information that is attached to works.

Keywords: Copyright reform, privacy, rights management information, Wipo Treaties, Digital Rights Management