The Guide to Digital Rights Management aims to provide practical advice for people seeking a digital rights management system and explains the complex copyright issues associated with the delivery of digital content.
In addition to "copyright rights" which change depending on the content, many examples of content also have "moral rights" attached, which cannot be sold or transferred, instead always remaining with the original creator.
The three moral rights are:
- the right to be identified as the author (right of attribution)
- the right not to have one's work falsely identified (right against false attribution)
- the right not to have one's work subject to derogatory treatment or in a manner prejudicial to one's honour and reputation (right of integrity)
The Guide points out that content does not need to have a © symbol to denote copyright, and suggests people treat all content as if it is copyright protected.
"There is a common misconception that a large public domain exists from which recent materials can be taken without needing anyone's consent," reads the guide. "It is true that there are many older materials in which copyright has expired that are in the public domain. However, as copyright generally lasts a minimum of 50 years it is best to treat all material as potentially subject to copyright as it is often not apparent on its face whether a particular article or artwork has lost copyright protection."
The Guide also details the exceptions made for computer programs in copyright laws, including making backup copies in case of loss or destruction of the original.
Other exceptions apply to reproductions made in the course of de-compiling software for the purposes of: making interoperable products; error correction; and security testing. These exceptions apply if the interface specifications are not readily available.
The Guide looks at various technologies ranging from simple in-house rights registers to more complex systems incorporating payment options and access. It emphasises the ability of an individual business to develop a system that meets its unique requirements, and offers 13 templates and tools companies can use.
Thirteen Australian case studies across five categories give an indication of the methods different organisations use to manage digital rights.
The Guide was written by the Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association (AIMIA) with help from IPR Systems P/L (a digital rights management company), SecureNet (a consultancy firm with expertise in digital security), Gilbert + Tobin (intellectual property lawyers), and Donna Parkes (design).
