[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Whether you’re a video editor or social media content creator, digital content piracy is a grave threat to anyone who makes a living from content creation.<\/p>\n
TV and film piracy comprise nearly 60% of all digital intellectual property theft<\/span>, making it an especially urgent problem for filmmakers and video professionals.<\/p>\n Forensic video watermarking<\/strong> is one effective way to stem the rising tide of digital content theft. Here\u2019s what it is and how it works.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”physical” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_text_color=”#444444″ background_color=”rgba(158,213,247,0.19)” custom_padding=”2%|3%|2%|3%|false|true” border_width_left=”5px” border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This post was reviewed by <\/span>Ken Negard<\/span><\/a>, Security Architect and Systems Engineer at <\/span>Robot Talk<\/span><\/a>, a security and systems design consultancy for VFX, film and TV studios.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”24px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px|0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”The Most Secure Large File Transfer” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Sign-Up for Free” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_font_size=”18px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ background_color_gradient_end=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#53a0fe” button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”293deg” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#3d72e7″ border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n MASV transfers are encrypted in-flight with TLS 1.2 and at-rest with AES-256.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”forensic-watermarking” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Forensic watermarking is one of the most effective deterrents and methods of digital content protection<\/a> against piracy and illegal use. It involves embedding an imperceptible mark within digital audio, image, text, or video files (even 3D models) that includes metadata about who created the content and other information. That\u2019s why it\u2019s sometimes called invisible watermarking.<\/p>\n A forensic video watermark is typically impossible to replicate or remove from a video without destroying the source material. These digital, session-based watermarks include unique identifiers that give content creators information about specific users viewing their content. Such unique identifiers stay with the asset across all digital environments \u2014 from mobile phones to desktop computers \u2014 and can help content owners discover the source of a leak.<\/p>\n After all, digital piracy soared to an 18% year-over-year increase in 2022, according to a <\/span>Variety<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>report<\/a>. The need for trackable content is a must in today\u2019s digital ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n Traditional or analog watermarks<\/a> (also known as visible watermarks) date to the 13th century, when they were developed by Italian papermakers for use on paper documents. This visible image watermarking is what you see on copyrighted images before purchasing their rights.<\/p>\n Dynamic watermarking is another form of visible watermarking, but it changes based on different factors, such as the user watching it or where the video is being played. Dynamic watermarking is more effective than using a static watermark, but because it’s still visible, data pirates can still get around it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Forensic-Watermarking.jpg” alt=”Forensic Watermarking” title_text=”Forensic Watermarking” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A photograph with visible watermarks. – <\/span>Shutterstock<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Digital watermarking made its first appearance in 1993. The first session-based forensic video watermarks \u2014 which generated viewer information from cable subscribers\u2019 set-top boxes \u2014 appeared in 2007. Forensic watermarking has been a go-to method of tracking and protecting digital content<\/span><\/a> ever since.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”Receive Large Video Files, Not Malware” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Sign-Up for Free” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_font_size=”18px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ background_color_gradient_end=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#53a0fe” button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”293deg” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#3d72e7″ border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n All files uploaded to MASV are automatically scanned for malware and viruses.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”video-content” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Forensic video watermarking is done by one of two generalized entities:<\/p>\n These entities work with a forensic watermark solution provider, like MediaSilo<\/a> or ContentArmor<\/a>, to inject watermarks into their content.<\/p>\n Forensic watermarks should have the following characteristics:<\/p>\n The easiest and most efficient way of applying a forensic watermark to a video requires the asset first to be uploaded to a forensic watermarking service. The asset\u2019s digital makeup is then profiled to determine where to apply watermarks.<\/p>\n This creates a chain of custody for the asset, which can be tracked across the following steps:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”Transfer Files To Collaborators (And No One Else)” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Sign-Up for Free” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_font_size=”18px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ background_color_gradient_end=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#53a0fe” button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”293deg” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#3d72e7″ border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n All MASV transfers have a default limit of three downloads and can be password-protected.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”watermark-types” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Several types of watermarks exist, including visible overlay (which overlays the mark on top of the video) or burn-in (which encodes the mark in the video at point of play) techniques. These techniques, however, require distracting information to be shown on screen.<\/p>\n Forensic watermarking in the media and entertainment industry, on the other hand, encodes a unique mark into the video file that acts as a unique identifier of whoever consumes the content.<\/p>\n These imperceptible marks also provide a clean image without other distracting information.<\/p>\n But there are also different types of forensic watermarks:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”digital-content-protection” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We already mentioned the vast (and growing) presence of video piracy, which is why video forensic watermarking is important for digital content protection.<\/p>\n Once a video file is injected with a forensic watermark, the watermarks can then be used to automatically detect when pirates attempt to distribute, alter, or manipulate a leaked or unlawfully copied video.<\/p>\n Most pirates deliberately change the format of video content through transcoding<\/a>, transrating, filtering, or other techniques, which disposes of any metadata attached to the video in its previous form.<\/p>\n Even if someone alters a video and its metadata is destroyed, however, the forensic watermark remains. Content owners can then use the watermark to locate the video in the wild, extract the watermark\u2019s metadata, determine the source of the leak, and act accordingly.<\/p>\n Forensic watermarking can also be used to alert users they have received an unauthorized video file, and to track and measure the popularity of online content.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”Keep An Eye On Your Large Files” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Sign-Up for Free” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_font_size=”18px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ background_color_gradient_end=”#202332″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#3d72e7″ button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#53a0fe” button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”293deg” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#3d72e7″ border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n All MASV transfers are logged and you\u2019ll be notified when someone starts downloading.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”challenges” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the biggest advantages of forensic watermarking is that it doesn\u2019t affect video quality. Most big studios make sure of this by using so-called \u201cgolden eyes\u201d \u2014 trained viewers able to detect even the smallest difference in an image \u2014 to scan the material before release.<\/p>\n There are, however, some notable limitations to forensic watermarking:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_color=”#f2f4f9″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1.5em|20%|1.5em|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%||0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0%||0%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”content-creators” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Content pirates hell-bent on copyright infringement had it pretty easy for a long time. No one pays any attention to those FBI warnings, after all.<\/p>\n While not perfect, forensic watermarking has helped combat digital piracy. Pirated online content can now be tracked, detected, and dealt with no matter where it lives on the internet thanks to unique identifiers that are not visible to the human eye. Forensic watermarks are imperceptible, robust, secure, efficient, and have a high capacity for data storage.<\/p>\n Filmmakers and other content creators can, in turn, protect their content much more efficiently than ever before through forensic watermarks for audio, video, image, and other digital files.<\/p>\n But forensic watermarking is only one part of the overall security equation for filmmakers and studios. If data gets into the wrong hands, forensic watermarking can find where the leak happened. It can\u2019t prevent it altogether.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where MASV<\/a> comes in. It\u2019s the world\u2019s fastest, most reliable, and secure file transfer service<\/a> that\u2019s trusted by remote teams the world over.<\/p>\n MASV can work hand-in-hand with forensic watermarking to protect digital content:<\/p>\n By combining MASV\u2019s security features with forensic watermarking, content creators can ensure that their video projects and other digital content is protected against unauthorized use or distribution.<\/p>\n\n
What is Forensic Watermarking?<\/h2>\n
How Does Forensic Watermarking for Video Content Work?<\/h2>\n
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Types of Watermarks<\/h2>\n
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Why is Forensic Watermarking Important for Digital Content Protection?<\/h2>\n
Challenges and Limitations of Forensic Watermarking<\/h2>\n
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Forensic Watermarking: Leveling the Playing Field for Content Creators<\/h2>\n
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