High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a digital copy protection scheme employed to prevent unauthorized duplication of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections. This technology is relevant to streaming platforms and devices that access media. It ensures that content is only played on devices that are authorized to receive and decrypt it, therefore safeguarding against illegal copying. For example, when viewing a movie through a particular online retailers service, HDCP ensures the content is displayed only on compliant devices.
The implementation of this protection mechanism is crucial for content providers to adhere to copyright laws and licensing agreements with film studios and other copyright holders. It allows the delivery of high-definition video without the risk of widespread piracy, fostering trust between content creators and distributors. The origins of this technology trace back to efforts to secure digital video signals, particularly as high-definition media became more prevalent, leading to the development and adoption of this system across the industry.
