IT and Security: Producers develop a new standard to protect content on memory cards

Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and SanDisk have announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to collaborate on a new content protection technology for flash memory cards such as SD Cards and various storage devices.

Announcements of the companies read that the parties “will look for ways to protect HD multimedia content launched on various platforms, in particular smartphones, tablets and Blu-ray products”. Companies have informed about establishment of a new project known as Next Generation Secure Memory Initiative. This content protection solution is called to protect HD content. A high level of content security will be realized through the use of the initiative's technologies, including unique identification technology for flash memory and copy protection based on public key infrastructure.

Under the "Next Generation Secure Memory Initiative," the five companies will start preparing for licensing and promotion of High-Definition-Capable Security for SD Cards and embedded memory for use in advanced consumer applications such as tablets and smartphones. The five companies believe that they each can make substantial contributions that, when combined, will enable them to start licensing the new secure memory technology early next year. Developers claim that they will enable users who have legally purchased any content – either music or video, to freely move the files across their own digital devices.