

Perceptible watermarks usually involve superimposing a logo or text over a piece of content. Video watermarking can be broken down into two categories – perceptible and imperceptible. For the purposes of this post – we’ll focus on digital images and video content, although watermarks are also used for print and audio content as well. Watermarking is the process of covertly embedding some kind of “signal” into a piece of content to help identify the ownership, copyright, and/or authenticity of a given piece of content.

Finally, there’s watermarking, which has existed since the early 13th century as a method to ensure authenticity for print and imagery but has gradually crossed the gap into video. However, it’s an important topic to address when so much money is on the line. Although Parks Associates estimates that password sharing accounts for $9.1 – 12.5 Billion in lost revenue, some streaming services have taken a lax approach, hoping to eventually convert sharing users into paid subscribers.

Concurrency management is also an option that some major streaming providers have applied as a way to limit password sharing. There are a variety of tools available and in recent years, most services have been investing in multi-DRM technologies which are a critical and effective first line of defense against piracy. Streaming services must address the threat of video piracy. According to a report by Sandvine, the video piracy ecosystem is worth nearly $1 billion USD in the US alone. There is also significant growth in the world of live sports and eSports – where individual clubs and leagues are launching their own direct-to-consumer streaming services to create new revenue streams, better engage with fans and grow their audiences.Īlthough a new streaming venture sounds promising, publishing high-quality content, such as a highly effective workout regime, a breathtaking play, or a comeback artist with a digital-only concert, comes with the risk of piracy. This growth in new services shows no indication of slowing any time soon, as new niche verticals like eLearning, faith-based services, fitness, and entertainment (live music/theater) are building out their own services to expand their reach and monetize their content. In the last 10 years, over 100 unique streaming services have launched around the world, with a mass acceleration of new services launched in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. The State of Streaming and Content Piracy
