November 25, 2004 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Internet security company VeriSign (verisign.com) and Thomson (thomson.net), a provider of technology, systems and services to the media and entertainment industry, announced earlier this week that they have put together plans to create an on-demand digital content authentication and authorization service bureau to support the secure delivery of electronic entertainment content over digital networks.
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The new service, targeted at content providers and electronic content distributors, will provide transaction reporting and back-office functions to securely authenticate and authorize digital entertainment content such as movies, music and games. The service leverages Thomson’s expertise in content security, preparation, management and distribution, and VeriSign’s authentication and network infrastructure and network security technology. The companies said they are working together to develop proprietary technology.
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“Developing opportunities in electronic content management and distribution is one of our five strategic priorities, and the cooperative effort with VeriSign is a key step in this direction,” says Frank Dangeard, chairman and chief executive officer of Thomson. “We believe that creating trusted technology solutions will accelerate the development of new entertainment distribution business models and provide a reliable and trustworthy ecosystem for content owners, network operators, retailers and consumers.”
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The companies said they intend to develop a third-party solution for distributors and content owners that will work across digital networks. They cited the growth of broadband, the growing market for electronic content delivery, and the interest large carriers have in installing fiber-based networks in homes for delivering voice, data and video to consumers, as evidence of a strong market opportunity.
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The service is expected to launch by mid-2005, the companies said.
