The original schemes were algorithms for embedding data into digital files in ways that were imperceptible to humans. Unlike paper watermarks, digital watermarks may or may not be hidden (imperceptible to users) nevertheless, academics and technologists often categorize watermarking as a type of steganography or “hidden writing.”ĭigital watermarks were first applied to audio and visual information. Watermarks were originally meant to convey the identity of the paper manufacturer or vouch for the authenticity of documents such as postage stamps, paper currency, passports, and other government documents.Īnalogously, digital watermarking involves embedding information – called a payload – in digital files that indicates the identity of the content or its owner and as we’ll see, watermarks can also be used to embed other information such as the identities of e-book retailers and users who purchase e-books. The term “watermarking” is meant as an analogy to a watermark in paper: a hidden mark that only becomes visible when the paper is subjected to a special detection process, such as immersion in certain liquids. Is there a future in social DRM?ĭigital watermarking is a term that first appeared in the mid-1990s.

This technology employs digital watermarks and makes it easy to sideload the ebooks on all of your devices and if the book appears on a pirate site, it is easily tracked down to the user who initially bought it. Social DRM has been around for a number of years and is growing in popularity in Europe.

If you purchase a Kindle book, it is impossible to transfer it to the Nook or Kobo, due to the incompatibility of DRM.

The vast majority of major publishers in North America use very intrusive DRM by Adobe that prevents users from easily backing up their online purchases and prevents them from loading them on many smartphones and e-readers.

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