Technological Protection Measures (TPMs) are technical controls used to restrict unauthorized access to, or limit the use of, copyrighted works or proprietary software. TPMs are often used to enforce digital rights management (DRM) policies, which are designed to protect the interests of copyright owners.
Examples of TPMs include encryption, digital signatures, watermarking, and software copy protection mechanisms. TPMs are used in a variety of applications, such as streaming media services, e-book readers, and mobile devices. The use of TPMs is controversial, as some users believe that they restrict their ability to use the content they have purchased or downloaded.
In general, the use of TPMs is governed by international intellectual property treaties and national copyright laws. These laws balance the interests of copyright owners and users, and aim to provide a framework for the protection of intellectual property in the digital age.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): https://www.eff.org/issues/tpm
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): https://www.wipo.int/ip-technology/en/technological_protection_measures/
European Commission - Digital Single Market: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/technological-protection-measures-tpm
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_protection_measure
International Association of Consumer Electronic Manufacturers (IACEM): https://www.iacem.org/tpm-standards-and-guidance
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): https://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/35-usc-1201-circumvention-technological-measures
Library of Congress - Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov/policy/tpm/
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/technological-protection-measures/
European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/593751/IPOL_STU(2017)593751_EN.pdf
American Bar Association (ABA): https://www.americanbar.org/groups/intellectual_property_law/resources/intellectual_property_law_section_record/technological_protection_measures_and_anti-circumvention_law/
International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO): https://www.ifrro.org/issue/technological-protection-measures/