talkmagic.co.uk

Hello magicians.

I need to know if anyone know how to license media files. I have been asked to publish some of my magic, and I am trying to find secure methods of doing it. I know other magicians have done the same, and they sell their magic vids protected with licenses. Anyone know what software is required to do stuff like that?

Found it....
http://www.vidlock.com/

Hiya...

Info for Microsoft DRM here...
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/defau ... ontent.asp

Well, it IS possible using DRM... but sadly, we've found that publishing content via this method leaves many users stranded.

i.e. Macintosh users have to download Windows Media Player, and even then, they can only play DRM files with Version 1 licenses... appalling!

Secondly, it almost makes it a chore to process DRM files for the net...
http://www.devx.com/security/Article/7868/1954?pf=true

and thirdly... if hackers want to publish your files, they will anyway (there are cracks for almost every content managed system if people are bored enough!)

So, this theory leads me to firmly believe that you should just put it down to trust. Keep it simple.

I know, you got some nice points, but 90% uses Windows. Also, I would rather protect it, than having it on any p2p network in 5 minutes. There's alot of 14-18 year old magicians, that don't care about ppls living and credit for creating great magic. So, I will try to make it harder for them. Afterall, this software has some nice features as well....

Well, if you are intent on encrypting, then that is certainly the way to go.

Unfortunately, there are many simple ways of getting the files 'DRM' free. Bottom line is, the 'genuine' folk who wouldn't pirate your movies anyhow would not feel the need to remove the DRM.

But the scum who WOULD want to pirate them will undoubtedly do so within minutes of acquiring them.

It's a cruel world!

Ergo, I would suggest that you don't spend too long/to much money on adding DRM or other protection. Unless you are making mega bucks, it may turn out more expensive to protect the files.

Again I agree, but, knowing this industry a bit too much, I think I'll add some security, just not sure how yet. DRM is quite ok, there are quite some other magic ppl using it. I have also thought of programming it myself, adding a secure shell around the wmv file. It should be pretty easy, and have my own license control...

Hey

If you are in the know with programming with an application generator such as Visual Basic you can create an Application that seeds the WMV files.

I have created an application that does this for a trick that i am now marketing myself. The application will only works with the CD provided in the drive, this stops it being sent over the internet

Matt

there are starforce cracks et al tho that will allow you to watch a pirated prog/film/dvd/cd with ANY cd in a drive. Starforce fools the encryption. Basically nothing is foolproof.

Shame though for those people with proper (i.e. non windows) machines - just because the majority use naff kit why penalise those with good machines Rune ?

Mac rules in my household - ex UNIX administrator I'm afraid (and helped develop Whistler )

Vic

Hehe, well, if a guy with Mac wants to buy my trick, I will happily create a non-win32-version of it to him. Yes, I am into programming, and I have thought of the VB-stuff as well. I am not sure what to do yet, but I will let you know. The most easy thing is to go with vidlock of course....

vic_vdb wrote:Shame though for those people with proper (i.e. non windows) machines - just because the majority use naff kit why penalise those with good machines Rune ?

Mac rules in my household - ex UNIX administrator I'm afraid (and helped develop Whistler )

Vic

... And for the people who use a proper OS such as Linux

I am sure there is a wmv player for your os as well.... or use some crossover software to be able to run it...

Hey,

Why not use both VB and Vidlock? Using VB you can create an application with links to a media file, you place the media files in a folder on the CD and make them all hidden and encrypted with vidlock. The application can only work with the CD as the actual files are on the CD, so it can be sent over P2P but it will not work as the link is broken. If you get some clever person who finds the media files, they will also not be able to use them or send them over P2P due to licenses used by vidlock

That i think would be a solid solution and would give users a lush interface from a VB Application

What are you publishing then out of curiosity?

Matt