Digital Cinema Security Standards Development
Consultant to “6 Majors” studio consortium and former chairman of SMPTE DC28 Security and Key Management Ad Hoc - Under contract since June 2003 with Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) to develop and specify the security requirements/specifications for all-digital theatrical distribution of first run motion pictures (http://www.dcimovies.com). Represent DCI at Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in promoting adoption of DCI security specifications and SMPTE standards (editor of 4 SMPTE security specifications, technical contributor to 5 additional specs). DCI technical representative overseeing certification requirements of DCinema security equipment for functional and physical/logical robustness compliance (FIPS 140, level 3). Associated DCinema consulting for numerous equipment and security vendors who seek to supply DCI and SMPTE compliant solutions to the exhibition industry.
Digital Cinema Product Security Reviews
Performed numerous security reviews of products being developed to support the digital cinema industry. Includes digital projectors, servers, stereoscopic presentation, transaction reporting/tracking (watermarking and log data) and Digital Cinema Initiatives (see above) compliance testing.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Circumvention Consultant
Technical consultant in support of large enterprise software provider's investigation of third party products that enabled DRM security features of their media players to be bypassed.
DRM Review of Airline Digital Media Players
Review of DRM features of portable media players for use by airline passengers. Provided explanations and opinions on DRM distinctions in supplier dispute over misuse of licensed DRM technologies.
Consultant to Large Infrastructure Provider in Developing an Open Standard,
IPR-Free DRM Framework
Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Conditional Access Systems (CAS) technical expert assisting on Sun Microsystems “Project DReaM” (http://www.openmediacommons.org). Work was aimed at investigating, explaining and evaluating intellectual property in relation to the developing DReaM specifications and open architecture framework – both the historical record (i.e. the 30 year history of fielded CAS/DRM solutions) and currently active IPR. Includes DReaM interoperability and compatibility requirements with other open and proprietary DRM solutions.
DRM Consultant to Major Appliance & Communications Infrastructure Supplier
Performing a detailed analysis of all active and expired Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Conditional Access System (CAS) patents in support of the development of a new licensable DRM solution for fixed and mobile consumer markets.
DRM & Infrastructure Planning for Theatrical & Post-theatrical Content Distributor
Performed technical evaluation and strategic planning for major Hollywood distributor implementing secure Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Content Asset Management (CAM) infrastructure for theatrical, hospitality/airline, and consumer distribution of digital assets.
Security Review of Hotel Movie Distribution & In-Room Rendering System
Performed robustness review of system designed to deliver high definition early-window content to high end hotel rooms. Included evaluation of the supplier’s NOC for content preparation and disctribution, and implementation of High Bandwidth Copy Protection (HDCP) DRM standard for protection of content between the in-room decoder and HD television.
Consultant to Large Telco in Next Generation Broadband Network Strategies
Provided assistence in evaluating vendor RFP responses to second generation national network architecture, simulcrypt CAS operation and interoperability requirements
Windows Media DRM Evaluation
Performed security compliance evaluation for major wireless phone supplier and cellular network operator for Music on Demand service. Included evaluation and written report for compliance to WMDRM functional and robustness requirements for media player designs and infrastructure (factory, distribution, maintenance) compliance.
Set Top Box DTCP Compliance Evaluation
Technical evaluation and compliance review for major North American set top box supplier implementing Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) standard for encrypted content and copy protected movement of digital assets between compliant consumer devices.
Architectural and System Security/DRM Design for Wireless Media Player
Consultant and company co-founder for portable audio device (similar to iPod) for advertiser supported secure player designed to securely download and store music. Patent applied for security subsystem solutions. (Company founded 2002, now terminated.)
Corporate Advisor to Supplier of Cable Audience Measurement Data
Consultant to cable TV ratings information supplier (similar to Nielsen), for both clear and encrypted program audience data (business and technical development consultant).
Assisted in Evolving Security Technology into the IP Multicast Space
Technical consultant to major CA supplier’s adoption of their broadband CAS solutions to Internet Protocol (IP) multicast (broadcast for the Internet) applications.
IPR Assertion Project Manager for European Conditional Access Company
Eight multi-national actions pursued/settled. Worked largely behind the scenes in support of IPR assertions against alleged patent infringement of fundamental conditional access key distribution technology. Assisted the legal team leader (Latham & Watkins), and coordinated the in-region legal and technical expert teams on behalf of the IPR owner.
Systems Requirements and Development Oversight
of Cable Based Music On Demand (MOD) Interactive Service
Technical advisor to hotel/motel in-room entertainment supplier developing a solution for on-demand music delivery service, to be used in parallel with existing municipal cable TV delivery systems. DRM aspects included presentation/shopping, secure delivery, local storage/playout and billing.
Strategic Study for Entity Developing Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) Compliant DRM Solutions
Task was to investigate, explain and present current status of all DVB security standards and copy protection initiatives, including likely directions, players, and comprehensiveness of DVB coverage, timing and interoperability with other like standards initiatives.
Assisted Several Entities in Patent and Associated Internal IPR Mining for Strategic Advantage and Monitary Leveraging
Provide review and evaluation services for entities (telcos, computer infrastructure provider, wireless phone provider, broadband equipment supplier, IPR trust holders) wishing to leverage their IPR portfolios. Includes preparatory work to satisfy Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) "rule 11" requirements.
Conditional Access System Development, Operations, Service/Support
Over 25 years of direct experience as a Conditional Access System (CAS) supplier for broadband CA solutions for analog and digital content protection systems for cable, satellite and broadcast applications (Oak and TV/Com from 1980 to 1998, and subsequent industry involvement).