Content protection on HTC's Android Devices, powered by Discretix

Comprehensive Multi-Scheme DRM Client enables Video On Demand while offering an improved level of robustness and short time-to-market

BARCELONA, Spain — Mobile World Congress 2011 — Discretix, the leading global provider of content protection and embedded security solutions, announced today that HTC Corporation (Taipei:2498), has extended its Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM license, to include support for Microsoft PlayReady® DRM technology on Android smartphones and tablets.

Leveraging more than ten years of experience in mobile device security, Discretix’ implementation of Microsoft PlayReady delivers significant benefits to service providers and Android device manufacturers including; short time-to-market, significant R&D savings and the ability to seamlessly support multiple updates to the operating systems. Moreover, the client’s increased security level and optimized CPU utilization ensure the secure and efficient delivery of video on demand to the end-user. The Discretix Multi-Scheme DRM Client is field-proven across a broad range of connected devices and operating systems, and is currently in mass production globally.

Addressing the major changes that have occurred in the home and mobile entertainment markets over the past few years, Microsoft PlayReady technology provides support for business models ranging from purchase, subscription, and rental to super-distribution. Microsoft PlayReady has broad support from content owners and services as well as being an approved DRM technology by the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (Ultraviolet).

The Discretix implementation of PlayReady provides the essential elements required for a robust implementation on open operating systems such as Android, MeeGo and Linux. These elements enable compliance with Microsoft’s Compliance and Robustness (C&R) rules for PlayReady, adherence to the stringent requirements set by major studios and content providers, as well as secure content data path. Security elements integrated in the DRM client include: secure provisioning and revocation, enhanced anti-rollback, secure data storage, optimized crypto and integration with hardware security elements.

Taiwan-based HTC is one of the fastest-growing companies in the mobile sector. Its branded Android and Windows Phone 7 smartphones are renowned for their innovation and advanced multimedia capabilities. Sold in over 100 countries around the world, HTC phones are marketed by some of the world’s largest mobile operators including Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Cingular, Verizon, Sprint and NTT DoCoMo.

“The new generation of Android-based smartphones has many security challenges, compounded by frequent updates to the operating system,” said Edo Ganot, EVP Business Development for Discretix. “Our Multi-Scheme DRM Client with Microsoft PlayReady support adheres to stringent industry standards and leverages Discretix’ in-depth systems expertise, hardware-based security and vast hands-on experience.”

“PlayReady® is a major step forward in enabling a wide range of new entertainment scenarios such as video-on-demand and catch-up TV services, over all types of connected devices”, said Bill Wittress, Director of Business Development, Media Platforms Business, Microsoft Corp. “Discretix’ extensive experience in implementing content protection on Android devices opens up new and exciting opportunities with PlayReady for service providers and OEMs.”

Discretix is showcasing its Multi-Scheme DRM Client, as well as its other embedded content protection security solutions at MWC, from its exhibit at Hospitality Suite 4.7HS22 in Fira de Barcelona.