Sun Microsystems showcases open source DRM project

Makers of Java and the company trying hard to get back into the mainstream online business, Sun Microsystems have showcased the Open Media Commons initiative. The aim is to create and develop an open-source, royalty-free digital-rights management standard. The issue has become a rather sensitive one with media companies complaining about blatant piracy and consumer protection groups talking about convenience to take backups of bought content.

There are various media devices involved in the DRM standard decision. There are mobile phones, digital music players, CDs, DVDs to be considered for when DRM is being discussed. Many companies have announced their own formats, which are trying to become an industry standard. Microsoft, Apple, and Sony are actively involved in this fight to decide on a universal format for Digital Rights Management to prevent piracy of digital content.

Sun claims that the growing number of rival DRM standards that are incompatible with one another could stifle innovation and economic growth. With their open source initiative, they might get the industry people involved into creating a format, which is both users friendly, and acceptable to all. Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Schwartz said in a statement about their offering: “The industry generally falls into two camps: Those who support what we’re up to and others who want to collect a fee.”

Market experts are however skeptical considering a lot many criteria are to be considered before settling in for a standard for such a sensitive issue.

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