HOF, Bavaria – A new protection technology embeds robust watermarked fingerprints into online video, using an invisible forensic watermark to bind illegally downloaded content to its recipient.

The latest update to Xvid AutoGraph supports the new MPEG DASH adaptive streaming protocol in all typical resolutions, including ultra-high-definition 4K. Watermarked video files are created on the fly in real-time affecting the video’s perceived visual quality. Watermarked fingerprints survive even sophisticated removal or masking attacks including video filtering, format conversions, size and quality changes — all processing steps commonly used to spread pirated copies through tube sites.

The digital signature carries a customer-ID tag, acting as a virtual fingerprint with DNA qualities that becomes an invisible part of the delivered video. Hidden in every video frame, the signature cannot be removed and is only extracted when needed to uncover, identify and expose illegal uploaders.

Fair use for the consumer remains unrestricted, unlike conventional and widely disliked digital rights management schemes. AutoGraph-protected video files are playable on any kind of device or platform, as protected files remain regular video that do not require any special hardware or software for playback. AutoGraph-ed files play whenever and wherever consumers want them, with no prior registration, key exchange, special player or online connection needed.

“Existing DRM doesn’t prevent illegal copies — it just prevents sales by pushing customers to look elsewhere for DRM-free content,” said Michael Militzer, inventor of the Xvid video codec and co-founder of AutoGraph parent company Xvid Solutions. “In today’s world where small, independent artists depend entirely on the success of their online sales but are hit hard by illegal file hosts paying incentives to pirate even the smallest, independent releases, it is time for something new. Something that is balanced, efficient and affordable and that does not criminalize the large majority of honest and loyal users like DRM does. So we came up with Xvid AutoGraph, a passive protection that just individually tags each video, turning every video copy into a valuable original.”

AutoGraph video protection is scalable and applicable to all video-related business models, Militzer said. Authors and content owners who are affected by online piracy may visit XvidAutoGraph.com for a demo.