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- 1.1.
How does the SmartRight system comply with standards?
SmartRight is a global system deployable in any region of the world. It makes no a priori assumption on the format of the content it receives. It complies with U.S. standards as well as European, Japanese, and other standards.
For example, the current standards for secure renewable devices are:
- NRSS (National Renewable Security Standard) for the U.S.
- DVB-CI (Digital Video Broadcasting - Common Interface) for Europe and the rest of the world.
- ISO 7816 for smart cards worldwide
- 1.2.
Does the SmartRight system require specific interfaces/links?
Various well-established digital interfaces are available as standards for device interconnection. SmartRight can be used with any current or future bi-directional digital interface. For instance, SmartRight works with wired links such as IEEE 1394 ("iLink"), and will work as well as with wireless connections such as IEEE 802.11a or Hyperlan2.
- 1.3.
Does the SmartRight system protect any kind of digital content?
The SmartRight system was first designed for MPEG-2 transport streams. The next generation will support other content formats, such as mp3 and text.
- 1.4.
How does the SmartRight system accommodate analog devices?
SmartRight access devices will support future industry consensus standards for the purpose of detecting copy protection information embedded in analog signals.
SmartRight presentation devices will support output of analog signals when those outputs provide the level of copy protection defined by the content. A list of suitable technologies will be published and maintained by the SmartRight Association.
- 1.5.
Does the SmartRight system support watermarking?
SmartRight devices will take advantage of watermark to detect questionable content.
- 1.6.
Does the SmartRight system protect broadcast free-to-air content?
SmartRight will support any government mandate to protect free-to-air content.
Free-to-air content remains protected in the SmartRight personal private network. When content leaves the SmartRight domain, some outbound rules ensure its protection. These rules are defined by the Broadcasters.
- 1.7.
What is a SmartRight Access device?
A SmartRight Access device is any device that creates SmartRight Content, e.g. a set-top-box. "SmartRight Content" means any content that is scrambled with one of the scrambling algorithms supported by SmartRight Technology, with a Key required to descramble such content being packaged and protected in a data structure called a Local Entitlement Control Message ("LECM") as defined in the SmartRight Specification.
- 1.8.
What is a SmartRight Presentation device?
A SmartRight Presentation device is any device that can descramble SmartRight Content, e.g a TV set.
- 1.9.
What is a secret?
A secret is a digital key (i.e., numeric code), including keys of symmetric cryptosystems, private keys of asymmetric cryptosystems, or secret keys of one-way functions, embedded in the software of electronic devices for the purpose of ensuring confidentiality and/or authentication of devices.
- 1.10.
What is a key?
A key is an information used by a cryptographic function either to encrypt, or decrypt a message, or to sign or to verify a signature.
- 1.11.
What is a SmartRight Converter card?
A Converter SmartRight card is any secure, removable module that generates a Local entitlement Control Message as defined in the SmartRight Specification for an Access Device.
- 1.12.
What is a SmartRight Terminal card?
A Terminal SmartRight card is any secure, removable module that extracts from a Local Entitlement Control Message the Keys required to descramble SmartRight Content in a Presentation Device
- 1.13.
Why does the SmartRight system use smart cards?
Smart cards are a secure, easy, and cost-effective way to ensure the system's renewability in case of hacking.
- 1.14.
Does the SmartRight system support PCs?
Yes. A PC can act as an access device if it complies with the requirements defined for any SmartRight access device.
In the case of a PC acting as a presentation device, the PC must fulfill a set of requirements, including, but not limited to:
- a PC has a dedicated video card, including a smart card reader for receiving SmartRight terminal card
- the video memory of the card is not accessible by external elements of the video card, for instance PC CPUs
- the analog, or DVI output is copy protected
- 1.15.
With SmartRight, is it possible to access content from a second home, or a portable device? / What is a Personal private Network?
Every SmartRight content that is not free is associated to a specific home network and, therefore, can only be played in this specific home network (and not in the neighbor's network).
However, a SmartRight home network can also comprise external mobile devices associated to it, e.g. a portable music player, or a device in a car, as well as devices in a second home belonging to the original SmartRight network owner. In other words, the SmartRight system protects content in a second home as well as in portable devices (mp3 players, e-books?) that have been connected to the reference (or primary) home network once. There is no need for a persistent connection.
All these devices whose smart cards share the same key constitute a Personal Private Network. The size of a Personal Private Network will be limited to a maximum number of presentation devices, to be defined by the SmartRight Association.
At any time, a SmartRight device belongs to only one Personal Private Network.
- 1.16.
What needs to be encoded in the head-end stream?
The content distributor must encode the Copy Protection states required within the SmartRight domain and under what conditions content may leave the SmartRight domain.
In addition, the support of trick modes may require that additional packets be transmitted within the broadcast data stream.
- 1.17.
How is piracy detected?
An 'alarm ring' system will be set up by the SmartRight Association, utilizing information from "correspondents" (Broadcasters, CA/DRM providers, content providers or distributors?).
- 1.18.
How does revocation work in the SmartRight System?
Revocation is never user-friendly for all the "innocent" consumers who are "victims" of hackers' deeds. Because the SmartRight system is based on renewable security modules (smart cards), we have the ability to revoke cards. It is far more cost-effective to have to change a card rather than a complete device.
Revocation will follow traditional security policy, using Certificate Revocation Lists.
As a secondary measure, the SmartRight system does offer the possibility to revoke devices. This will only be used in the extreme case of a complete hack of the SmartRight system, and indeed, according to the revocation rules defined by the SmartRight Association's Revocation Committee . Revoking a device means that the device will not be able to handle SmartRight content anymore. Nevertheless, it will still be able to handle other types of content.
- 1.19.
On which cryptosystem is the SmartRight system based?
The SmartRight system architecture is based upon the use of a state-of-the-art public key cryptography system and symmetric cryptosystem. SmartRight system uses RSA and Rijndael.
- 1.20.
What is the specific public key/private key algorithm used in the SmartRight system?
The algorithm used is RSA. This algorithm is widely used and its security is time-proven. The card will authenticate the host with a typical challenge response protocol. This will require the host to contain a secret delivered by the SmartRight Association.
- 1.21.
In the SmartRight system, are there secrets stored in devices?
Most SmartRight secrets are stored in smart cards. However, the authentication between the device and the card requires that some secrets be stored in devices as well, but used only for the authentication procedure. This ensures only compliant devices and cards are used in the system.
- 2.22.
What is the difference between the SmartRight system and other content protection systems?
SmartRight 's philosophy is to allow no breaking in the chain of content protection.
The content is always kept scrambled in the network (while stored or transferred from one device to another) until it is displayed or played for the consumer to watch or listen, on a presentation device (e.g. a TV). Descrambling is enabled by an authorized removable security module such as a smart card, attached to the presentation device. This characteristic is called an end-to-end encryption security.
Furthermore, using removable security modules, the SmartRight system offers true renewability. No other system offers this fundamental property.
- 2.23.
Can the SmartRight system interoperate with other content protection systems?
The SmartRight system is separate from, and can coexist and interoperate with all currently available content protection systems (such as 5C, CPPM, CPRM).
SmartRight devices take advantage of watermark to detect questionable content.
Inbound and outbound rules are defined between the SmartRight system and other content protection systems coexisting with SmartRight on the same Digital Home Network, to ensure the respect of the rights associated to the content. Such rules are determined by the content providers or distributors.
(For example, in the case of free-to-air content, Broadcasters can decide that their content, when leaving the SmartRight domain, will be labeled as copy-never, or even that it cannot leave the SmartRight domain.)
- 2.24.
How does the SmartRight system interface with CA or DRM systems?
The SmartRight system is Conditional Access System (CAS) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) system neutral, and also accepts free-to-air content. SmartRight is separate from, and complementary to, all currently available Conditional Access and Digital Rights Management systems.
It defines a common syntax for SmartRight content to ensure interoperability, and defines a simple Application Program Interface (API) with current dominant Conditional Access Systems and Digital Rights Management systems.
- 3.25.
Are the SmartRight specifications available?
They are available under top-level NDA. Please contact us
- 3.26.
Is there a SmartRight prototype / demonstrator?
We have a SmartRight demonstrator with PCs emulating CE devices as well as prototypes of SmartRight CE devices.
- 3.27.
What is the SmartRight Association?
The SmartRight Association is the entity that:
- Develops / maintains SmartRight specifications
- Monitors the creation of certified keys and their distribution to entities in charge of personalization of security modules (smart cards)
- Collects SmartRight fees and pays (totally or partially) for SmartRight smart cards
- Checks that the system is not hacked (alarm ring) / implements corrective actions in case of hacking (revocation / smart card renewal)
- Licenses SmartRight specifications and logo, for SmartRight implementation
It is open to any "Adopter". Please, see SmartRight Association for more information.
- 3.28.
How will the IP related to the SmartRight system be managed? / What is the SmartRight Licensing Administration?
The SmartRight specification contains intellectual property (IP) that will be the subject of a license. The proposed SmartRight Licensing Administration (SmartRight -LA) is the entity responsible for managing the SmartRight system-related essential patents. It is open to anyone who owns SmartRight "essential" patents (as determined by an independent expert), and will license the patents to anyone wishing to implement SmartRight technology.
Please, see SmartRight Licensing Administration for more information
- 3.29.
What is the cost of SmartRight intellectual property (IP) for implementation in CE devices?
The SmartRight system-related IP (essential patents only) will be managed by the SmartRight Licensing Administration. It will be offered to anyone at a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory price.
- 3.30.
How will smart cards distribution be managed?
There are 2 cases: initial smart cards and smart cards to be renewed or replaced
1. For initial smart cards:
- In the case of STBs, SmartRight functionalities are merged with the CA ones (included in the CA card), and the pay-TV service operators distribute the cards as they usually do
- For other devices (e.g. TV, DVD player), smart cards are shipped together with the SmartRight devices: CE manufacturer buy smart cards from smart cards providers and enclose them in devices' boxes (1 smart card per device)
2. Smart cards renewal or replacement:
- Renewal, in case of hacking: new terminal cards, and converter cards without a CA or DRM will be distributed through "SmartRight Checkpoints", e.g. retailers or certified dealers (to prevent smart cards piracy or theft, new smart cards will be given in exchange for old ones). A mailing system is also contemplated for people who do not have access to retailers (as an exception to the rule). Converter cards with a CA will be distributed through the Pay TV operator's distribution channel
- Replacement, in case of loss or deficiency of smart card (or particular cases requiring changes in personal private networks, such as marriage or divorce): the SmartRight Checkpoints will be the interface between the consumers and the SmartRight Association, to provide consumers with new smart cards for these particular cases.
- 3.31.
What is the SmartRight Association's Revocation Committee?
Within the SmartRight Association, there is a Revocation Committee specifically responsible for (i) formulating and recommending, for approval to the Board of Directors of the Association, revocation criteria for the SmartRight system, (ii) recommending to the Board of Directors specific revocation actions if revocation criteria are satisfied, in accordance with information provided by the 'alarm ring' system.
Revocation criteria may include:
- Threshold of hacked PPNs
- Threshold of clones of one smart card
- Threshold of illegal copies of a piece of content by the same hack
- Other types of hacks that are deemed worthy of revocation
- 3.32.
What is the SmartRight Association's Piracy Watch Committee?
SmartRight Association's Piracy Watch Committee is responsible for (i) monitoring the SmartRight system for hacking, (ii) collecting, through an 'alarm ring' system, information about attempts to hack the SmartRight system, and (iii) passing the relevant information on to the Revocation and Renewal Committee.
- 3.33.
What is SmartRight's impact on business models implemented by Conditional Access or DRM providers? / Does the SmartRight system support Pay-Per-View, Video-on-Demand??
The SmartRight system supports any business model. It is neutral to any time or event related business model that may be supported by digital devices connected to the SmartRight protected home network. Some devices, particularly Hard Disk Drives-equipped digital TV decoders, may implement business models that allow access to content for a limited period of time (e.g. next two days after purchase) or a limited number of times (e.g. once, twice or five times after purchase). SmartRight provides a secure environment for the consumption of content authorized by such business models. All content usage rights and rules are determined and managed by the CASs that deliver the content to home networks.
CA and DRM provide a temporal control of the content, whereas SmartRight technology allows spatial control of the content.
- 3.34.
Does the SmartRight system provide the ability to charge for making a copy? (Pay-To-Copy)
Yes, in cooperation with the CA/DRM provider.
- 3.35.
Does the SmartRight system support the "fair use" practice?
Most countries around the world allow for "Fair use" of copyrighted works, thus enabling consumers to enjoy the content they acquired for their personal, non-commercial use. Fair use notably includes recording for time-shifting purposes.
SmartRight enforces personal private use within the boundaries of the Personal Private Network. Thus, content is available for personal private use, but only according to the associated rights.
- 3.36.
What about consumers' privacy?
A SmartRight home network initializes itself on its own, simply by connecting the devices together, with no need for registration of any kind. No information is collected about SmartRight users, whose privacy is therefore preserved.
- 3.37.
What is SmartRight supporters' interest in such a system?
Because the SmartRight system offers an end-to-end secure content protection system, it will enable content providers/distributors to release digital content without fearing their content to be hacked or accessed without authorization (un-paid content). This will foster the development of the market for digital devices, for all CE manufacturers', CA providers', IC and smart cards manufacturers' interest. Furthermore, the SmartRight system promotes interoperability between various audio/video sources and rendering devices, thus furthering the concept of Digital Home Networks.
- 4.38.
What are SmartRight benefits for content owners?
SmartRight protection will make content providers comfortable that the rights they own on digital contents are not infringed within digital home networks. Therefore, they will feel free to release more and more high-value content in digital format and to create new business models, knowing that:
- content distributors have the means for securing content distribution (via Conditional Access providers in case of distribution through broadcast, or Digital Rights Management services providers, in case of distribution through the Internet)
- and Consumer Electronics and Information Technology device manufacturers know how to make devices compliant with content protection requirements.
- 4.39.
What are SmartRight benefits for content distributors?
Thanks to SmartRight, content distributors will increase content sales or rentals, in as much as un-authorized (un-paid) access will be made more difficult, and as new distribution models, i.e. new ways of enjoying content, will be offered to consumers.
- 4.40.
What are SmartRight benefits for consumers?
The main benefits of SmartRight for consumers are:
- The portability of content on consumer's Personal Private Network, which means it is possible to have several copies for use on the network, to have access to content from any device belonging to the network, and to share access capabilities (e.g. of set-top-boxes) and storage capabilities (e.g. of home servers or Personal Video Recorders).
- One unique and consumer-friendly system, which avoids technology nightmare with piece-meal solutions, and provides devices and networks easy to install and modify.
- The access to high-value digital content, as content protection is a must for encouraging digital content creation. In partnership with content owners and distributors, SmartRight devices holders will benefit from privileged access to high-value content, and new opportunities for enjoying content anytime, anywhere.
- Opportunities for additional services on digital home networks that will be enabled by SmartRight, such as a distributed e-purse, for instance.
- 4.41.
What are SmartRight benefits for device manufacturers and technology providers?
As a content protection solution, SmartRight is the necessary protection layer that will enable the deployment of digital devices and digital home networks. It opens new market opportunities for Consumer Electronics and Information Technology device manufacturers, as well as for the related technology and components providers.
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