Wondering how Digital Watermarking fits under the scope of Security? This page will serve as a starting point for:
According to PC Webopaedia Definition and Links A Digital Watermark is a
pattern of bits inserted into a digital image, audio or video file that identifies the file's copyright information (author, rights, etc.). The name comes from the faintly visible watermarks imprinted on stationery that identify the manufacturer of the stationery.
Digital Watermarking is also known as digital fingerprinting, digital steganography, hidden watermarking, or data hiding. As opposed to traditional, printed watermarks, Digital Watermarks are transparent "signatures" containing either an originator's profile information, or, more likely, an identification number. Watermark identification numbers are used as indexes into web- based registration databases that store an originator's profile information.
Digital Watermarks are integrated within digital files as noise, or random information that already exists in the file, thereby making the detection and removal of the watermark difficult. Typically, watermarks are dispersed throughout the entire digital file such that the manipulation of one portion of the file does not alter the underlying watermark.
Here are some informational links:
Digital Watermarking provides for the protection of intellectual property in the digital world. Just as plagiarism runs rampant in the physical world, unauthorized copying of data, whether it be audio, visual, or video, exists in the digital world and is accomplished by only a few mouse clicks. Digital Watermarking attempts to copyright the digital data that is freely available on the World Wide Web to protect the originator's rights.
Digital Watermarking also serves as a means of advertising within digital imagery. For
instance, a user may download and view a digital image, use a watermark reader to extract the
digital signature, then access a web-based directory to find the company's name and up-to-date
address, phone number, and web and e-mail addresses.
Coming Soon: Java program examples of inserting and extracting Digital Watermarking information.
Digimarc (www.digimarc.com)
Digimarc offers the ability to create, detect, and register Digital Watermarks using PictureMarc,
a set of Adobe Photoshop compatible plug-ins. Digimarc also offers registration through
MarcCentre, which indexes clients' profiles for an annual fee.
HighWater Signum
(www.highwatersignum.com)
HighWater Signum offers the ability to create, detect, and register Digital Watermarks through
their SureSign Suite of Adobe Photoshop plug-ins. For an additional fee, clients may register
their SureSign Identity Codes in the Registry.
The Dice Company
(www.digital-watermark.com)
The Dice Company markets Argent, a patented, key-based implementation of watermarking
technology.
Blue Spike
(www.bluespike.com)
Blue Spike offers Giovanni, digital security for both audio and image files.
Signafy
(www.signafy.com)
Signafy uses spread spectrum image processing to create an InvisiMark using its InvisibleInk
for Images Professional Software Development Toolkit for C.
Aris Technologies, Inc.
(www.musicode.com)
Aris Technologies, Inc. provides digital audio fingerprinting through its MusiCode, MediaCode,
and SoniCode products, which offer "Pay Per Listen" and "Pay Per View" options.