Digital Watermarking

Digital Watermarking is the method of embedding data into digital multimedia content. This is used to verify the credibility of the content or to recognize the identity of the digital content's owner. Digital watermarking can be employed for multiple purposes, such as:

• Copyright protection
• Source tracking
• Broadcast tracking, such as watermarked videos from global news organizations
• Hidden communication

The Future of Digital Watermarking

A number of companies, such as the Digimarc Corporation, Sony and IBM have introduced digital watermarking software applications that allow individuals to imbed watermarks within image, audio and video files to protect them from copyright infringement. The watermarks may be viewed with software and can reveal either a unique identification code that can be traced to the copyright owner or specific information about the copyright owner.

Companies are also offering on-line tracking services so that the copyright owner can see how the owner's materials are used via the Web. These processes will continue to help the fight against electronic copyright infringement.