The Critical Role of Digital Rights Management processes in the context of the Digital Media Management Value Chain

This chapter analyses the impact generated by the adoption of Digital rights Management (DRM) processes on the typical Digital media Management Value Chian activities and tries to analyse the processes in the context of the business model. Given the early stage of the theory development in the field of DRM, the study follows the logic of grounded theory by building the research on a multiple case study methodology. The companies selected are successful players that have adopted DRM processes. These companies are Adobe Systems, Digital island, Endemol, Intertrust, Microsoft, and the Motion Picture Association. The chapter provides in depth longitudinal data on these seven players to show how companies implement DRM processes. After giving a definition of Intellectual Property and Digital rights management, the chapter provides a description of the typical Digital media management value chain activities and players involved along the different phases examined. An in depth description of Digital Rights Managment processes is discussed. DRM processes are considered in the context of buisness models and they are distinguished into content processes and Rights Management processes. it concludes with a discussion of the model and main benefits generated by the integration of DRM.