What is digital rights management?

Digital rights management (DRM) is best understood as a technological solution designed to control the use, modification, and distribution of digital media. It encompasses a range of technologies and protocols used to protect the rights of content creators and to enforce copyright protections in digital formats.

DRM can include measures like encryption, access controls, and licensing agreements, ensuring that only authorized users can access or use certain digital content. This framework helps prevent unauthorized distribution and piracy, which can undermine the economic value of digital media for creators and publishers.

While it may seem related to copyright law, which is outlined in legal frameworks, DRM primarily operates on a technical level to enforce the rights established by such laws. Thus, the emphasis is on the technical aspect of protecting and managing access to digital content.