Discretix has demonstrated its digital rights management (DRM) technology running on a Trolltech Qtopia-based Linux phone. The Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM Client can be used to establish a trusted environment for distributing premium content to devices with or without embedded cryptographic hardware… co-processors, the company said.

The Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM Client was demonstrated at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. It was shown running as a pre-integrated component on a phone that was also running Trolltech's Qtopia application and middleware stack for Linux phones.

Discretix says its content security technology reduces OEM time to market by ensuring pre-tested DRM protection for premium content. It supports multiple business models, including purchase, rental, and subscription, depending on the application deployed.

Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM Client conceptual diagram

According to Discretix, key Multi-Scheme DRM Client features include:

• Secure storage of DRM related keys, licenses and content
• Trusted usage of DRM related keys and authenticating content processing software
• Trusted execution of DRM program code
• Secure time implementation
• Supports OMA DRM, Microsoft WM-DRM 10, ECFM, and i-Mode DRM (including CPRMSD-Bind) DRM schemes
• Complies with Content Management License Administrator (CMLA), Microsoft WM-DRM, Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP), and 4C Consortium for CPRM security requirements

Multi-Scheme DRM Client architecture

The Multi-Scheme DRM Client supports a wide range of operating systems, including Linux, and is said to present a unified application programming interface (API) to the application layer, regardless of the underlying DRM scheme. The client supports hardware platforms including Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP, TI OMAP-VOX, Infineon MPEH/MPEU, Renesas SH-Mobile, and NXP Nexperia. It can also integrate with hardware-based security technologies such as Texas Instruments' M-Shield or its own Discretix CryptoCell. The client can easily support new hardware platforms thanks to its thin software glue layer called the Discretix Virtual Operating System, says the company.

Stated Raanan Tzemach, a VP at Discretix, “Assured content and transaction protection is one of the most critical elements in the proliferation of mobile services. The integration with embedded Linux gives device manufacturers and consumers alike the world-class protection they're looking for.”

Availability

The Multi-Scheme DRM Client appears to be available for Linux-based phones now, at an undisclosed price. More information is available here.

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