Streaming media is a cornerstone of the future entertainment industry.
Several media giants have teamed up to create the eXtensible Media
Commerce Language (XMCL)--a new open standard being developed to help
the business of online media commerce, the most high-profile sector
that is purchasing music and video online. This week's XML TechMail
will focus on the goals and features of XMCL.
WHAT IS XMCL?
XMCL is an open standard being developed by several industry
heavyweights, including RealNetworks, Napster, and MGM. The new XML
application is being designed to facilitate a standard protocol for
exchanging information regarding online commerce of media products.
Most of the media products currently available include audio and video
formats.
HELPING DRM
One of the goals of XMCL is to help control Digital Rights Management
(DRM). DRM is the process of understanding what's happening with
digital content that is usually available on the Internet. Because
digital content can be copied without any degradation, bootlegging
digital media has accelerated beyond the control of many media
companies (i.e., Napster). Using XMCL, the industry hopes to better
manage who is doing what with each digital media product and,
hopefully, reap the benefits of an attached revenue stream.
DETAILS
XMCL hopes to provide protocols for the entire digital media rights
process, including content creation, packaging, publishing,
distribution, licensing, and finally, consumption. XMCL will provide
XML-based content for information regarding product rental,
subscription, and ownership. XMCL will allow a content provider to
issue a license to a user, allowing the licensee to use the media
product for a period of time and/or a certain number of "playbacks." A
typical XMCL implementation will include a trusted playback system,
which will enforce the rules described in the XMCL document before
allowing the user to view the digital media.
MORE INFO
You can find out much more information about XMCL by visiting the Web
site at XMCL.org. There you will find information about the project,
which companies are involved, and how you can contribute. The site also
includes press releases, a Q&A section regarding XMCL, and a copy of
the current working specification. http://www.xmcl.org/
SUMMARY
As digital media has become more mainstream, the issue of controlling
content has become problematic. RealNetworks and other media industry
experts have teamed up to create an XML solution called XMCL. Their
hope is that XMCL will help standardize the buying and selling of
Internet-based digital media.