A generic data model with a decomposition operation for DRM interoperability

The digital rights management (DRM) systems attempt to protect digital content, which is by nature vulnerable to unauthorized distribution and use. The incompatibility of various DRM systems, however, hampers the diffusion of DRM. To increase DRM interoperability, we propose a generic rights model which illustrates the constructs and the relationships of rights. The model supports a decomposition operation, which allows the separation of different logical parts of rights. The decomposition provides a basis to improve interoperability between DRM systems and to maximize rights exporting.