Analysis of security vulnerabilities in the movie production and distribution process

Simon Byers, Lorrie Cranor, Dave Korman, Patrick McDaniel, Eric Cronin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unauthorized copying of movies is a major concern for the motion picture industry. While unauthorized copies of movies have been distributed via portable physical media for some time, low-cost, high-bandwidth Internet connections and peer-to-peer file sharing networks provide highly efficient distribution media. Many movies are showing up on file sharing networks shortly after, and in some cases prior to, theatrical release. It has been argued that the availability of unauthorized copies directly affects theater attendance and DVD sales, and hence represents a major financial threat to the movie industry. Our research attempts to determine the source of unauthorized copies by studying the availability and characteristics of recent popular movies in file sharing networks. We developed a data set of 312 popular movies and located one or more samples of 183 of these movies on file sharing networks, for a total of 285 movie samples. 77% of these samples appear to have been leaked by industry insiders. Most of our samples appeared on file sharing networks prior to their official consumer DVD release date. Indeed, of the movies that had been released on DVD as of the time of our study, only 5% first appeared after their DVD release date on a web site that indexes file sharing networks, indicating that consumer DVD copying currently represents a relatively minor factor compared with insider leaks. We perform a brief analysis of the movie production and distribution process and identify potential security vulnerabilities that may lead to unauthorized copies becoming available to those who may wish to redistribute them. Finally, we offer recommendations for reducing security vulnerabilities in the movie production and distribution process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDRM 2003
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Third ACM Workshop on Digital Rights Management
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages1-12
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)1581137869, 9781581137866
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
EventDRM 2003: Proceedings of the Third ACM Workshop on Digital Rights Management - Washington, DC, United States
Duration: Oct 27 2003Oct 27 2003

Publication series

NameDRM 2003: Proceedings of the Third ACM Workshop on Digital Rights Management

Other

OtherDRM 2003: Proceedings of the Third ACM Workshop on Digital Rights Management
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, DC
Period10/27/0310/27/03

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Engineering(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Analysis of security vulnerabilities in the movie production and distribution process'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this