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Contractual Pre-Requisites

All DRM technology vendors rely on a closed partner ecosystem. This means that DRM technology vendors require that anyone who receives their DRM server technology signs certain licensing agreements. While the agreements are mostly free, there is some administrative effort attached to enroll. The purpose of this guide is to help with the process.

Axinom DRM supports the following DRM technologies:

  • Google Widevine
  • Apple FairPlay
  • Microsoft PlayReady.

Depending on which DRM technologies you intend to use, you may need to sign one, two, or all three agreements.

Google Widevine​

You need to have a Google Widevine "Master License Agreement" in place. Here are the steps to take:

  1. Navigate to: https://support.google.com/widevine/troubleshooter/6027072
  2. Click "I have a general inquiry or feedback."
  3. Provide your data and request completing the Widevine "Master License Agreement".
  4. To streamline the process, describe your solution and state that the CWIP (Certified Widevine Implementation Partner) you are working with is Axinom, and also mention that you would like to enroll in an MLA (Master License Agreement).

As soon as you have enrolled, please let us know. The process then requires us to confirm with Google that you are actually enrolled in the agreement. Afterward, you can contact us once you receive the MLA from Google. Subsequently, we’ll request a Widevine certificate from Google. Please note that obtaining the certificates may take some time. Once we acquire the Widevine certificate for you, we can provide you with the Axinom DRM software.

Currently, there is no cost attached to signing Google’s agreement.

Microsoft PlayReady​

For Microsoft PlayReady, you need the "Microsoft PlayReady Server Agreement".

  1. Navigate to: https://www.microsoft.com/playready/licensing/server/
  2. Follow the instructions.

Please keep in mind that the agreement execution process takes typically 2-3 weeks. As of writing this, there is no cost attached to signing the agreement. After the agreement is in place and we’ve verified this, we can ship our software to you.

Apple FairPlay Streaming​

For Apple FairPlay You need to be a member of the "Apple Developer Program".

  1. Sign up here: https://developer.apple.com/programs/ It is a rather quick and painless process. However, there is a small annual fee attached to this. As of writing this, an individual subscription costs USD 99 per year.
  2. Apply for your FairPlay Deployment Package here: https://developer.apple.com/contact/fps/
  3. Answer "Yes" when asked whether you have a working implementation of an FPS development server or KSM (Key Security Module). This is provided by Axinom.
  4. When the request is approved, Apple provides you further instructions on how to finalize the process.
note

Please be aware that Apple distributes Deployment Packages with FPS Production Credentials only to content publishers. If you are not a content publisher, you may specify in the request form that you are applying for FPS Test Credentials instead. These are available to a broader range of applicants, such as technology providers working for publishers, and are enough for integration testing and evaluating FairPlay with Axinom DRM.

The testing credentials, however, need to be re-applied for regularly (usually, they expire every three months), subject to approval by Apple. For production scenarios, content publishers must apply for their own FPS Production Credentials. The production credentials do not expire automatically.

Axinom can ship Axinom DRM with FairPlay support to you as soon as you sign an agreement with us. However, you are only able to make use of our software after you have received the Deployment Package from Apple.

Check also: Apple FairPlay Streaming with Axinom DRM