The development and future of digital rights management: A review

Abstract

Digital rights management (DRM) serves as a critical technological mechanism for copyright protection, ensuring the legitimate use of digital content, and facilitating innovative business models in content distribution and access. This paper begins by introducing the fundamental concepts and typical architecture of DRM systems. It then provides a detailed analysis of the four distinct evolutionary phases of DRM, with a focus on key technologies including usage control, rights expression, content sharing, and decentralization. The paper further examines DRM standards, legal implications, and the tension between enforcement and fair use. Finally, it outlines future challenges and suggests promising directions for future research.