Micronas and Thomson multimedia today announced their collaboration in the future development of the SmartRight technology designed to protect digital content from illicit access and distribution.

Thomson’s involvement in the development of SmartRight technology was previously disclosed on May 30, 2001 at the Los Angeles meeting of the Copy Protection Technical Working Group (CPTWG). During the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) event in Berlin, Micronas unveiled its new MDE Micronas DigitalTV Engine architecture, designed for integrated digital TV applications. In combination with the existing Micronas product portfolio, MDE is a perfect answer for implementing the SmartRight technology, thus providing the world's first cost-effective and secure solution for DVB iDTVs.

Thomson multimedia’s SmartRight technology was designed to meet increasing demand for content security throughout the entire digital media chain. Using a system of "smart cards" to ensure renewability in case of a hack, the SmartRight system is designed to operate on its own, and its architecture makes it compatible with other copy protection systems.

As designed, the SmartRight system would be global and could be used in digital video applications in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. With SmartRight, content is always kept scrambled in the consumer's Personal Home Network until it is displayed or played on a presentation device. Descrambling is done by a removable security module, or "smart card", that is attached to the presentation device. This simple method provides end-to-end encryption security.

"Copy protection and content management are curtail factors for the success of digital TV and beyond. The need for interoperability and transparence for the consumer requires the collaboration of all involved parties. Micronas is happy to be one of the first supporters of the SmartRight technology", says Hans-Jürgen Désor, Vice President Consumer Products at Micronas.

"Since its unveiling last May, SmartRight has generated a vivid interest among the digital chain community. Today, Micronas brings to SmartRight its world-renown knowledge in security to the digital TV domain. Together and along with other companies, we will answer to the DVB-CP call for proposal so as to provide the whole of Europe, and beyond, with the right solution for copy protection" said Olivier Lafaye, General Manager, Research and Innovation, Advanced Products at Thomson multimedia.