IEEE proposes Digital Personal Property standard

The IEEE P1817 working group has come into effect last month and proposes a file protection system that aims to allow users to share their digital files but keep them protected from outright copying at the same time. Known as Digital Personal Property (DPP), it includes two pieces of a digital file and would be a less restrictive alternative to DRM file protection. There would be a title folder and a playkey. The title folder would contain the encrypted file, while a playkey would grant access.

Users could freely share the title folder, but granting access to the file within would only be allowed if they shared a playkey. It would be contained within either a tamper-protected circuit inside a computer or personal device, or online at a playkey hosting site. The playkey is then lent out like a library book. Owners would need to be careful who they lend the playkey out to, however, as the borrower could move it and never return it, much like lending out a physical item such as a CD.

As such, owners can also gift, donate or resell their digital property. Each playkey would be unique, singular and protected from counterfeiting.
The group's first meeting is scheduled for July 14th in Santa Clara, CA. [via Ars Technica]

By Electronista Staff