Japan Reviewing 'B-CAS' DRM System

Dec 24, 2008 17:05 Takeyoshi Yamada, Nikkei Electronics

The 47th meeting of the "Study Group on the Promotion of Digital Content Distribution" led by the Telecommunications Council, a panel under Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), took place Dec 22, 2008.

The Working Group (WG) of Technologies, a subordinate organization of the study group, reported progress in "the form of enforcement through technology and contract related to the protection of broadcast content," so-called "B-CAS card revisions."

Proposing (1) smaller cards, (2) preinstalled cards, (3) chips and (4) software as candidates for enforcement methods to be added to the current B-CAS card system, the WG explained an outline of each method as well as their advantages and problems. According to Keio University professor Jun Murai, chairman of the study group, however, the WG "only outlined the options and will start discussing which one is most suitable from now on."

Option (1) and (2) are plans to upgrade the current B-CAS card system. The option (1) assumes almost the same framework as the current method, except that the cards will be much smaller than the current size.

The option (2) allows manufacturers and retailers to insert B-CAS cards in the devices before selling them. This method removes the need to insert a B-CAS card into the receivers, which viewers are currently supposed to do by themselves. BS Conditional Access Systems Co Ltd (B-CAS) will continue to manage licenses if either of these methods is implemented.

The option (3) will integrate content protection capabilities including a cryptographic key. Device manufacturers will purchase those chips as components and incorporate them in their devices before shipment. In the option (4), they can integrate and package the same capabilities in the form of software. All of these methods increase device manufacturer's freedom in product planning.

On the other hand, the license management company and manufacturers must reconsider their scheme of sharing responsibility when either of these methods is employed, in which case, they will no longer lend cards to consumers as they do now. In addition, B-CAS will not necessarily be the license management company in that case.

This issue has been discussed after it was cited as "a challenge that must be focused from now on" in the study group's fifth interim report announced in August 2008.

"It is not always appropriate to terminate the current method from a perspective of consumer protection, considering the current B-CAS card system has already diffused," said Yoichi Ogasawara, chief of the Promotion Office for Content Distribution in the Information and Communications Policy Bureau at MIC. "We, therefore, position the options as additional methods to increase options for viewers, assuming the B-CAS card system will continue."

Members from consumer organizations see "software method" as conclusion

(Continue to the next page)

24 Hours | 7 Days