XrML -- eXtensible rights Markup Language

A brief introduction to XrML, its data model, usage and extensibility as it applies to digital media, multi-tier content distribution and XML-based healthcare information is provided.

Abstract

XrML (eXtensible rights Markup Language) is an XML-based language for digital rights management (DRM), providing a universal method for specifying rights and conditions associated with the use and protection of digital content and services. Originally developed at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), the specification facilitates the creation of an open architecture for digital rights management of content or services. It can be integrated with both existing and new DRM systems. XrML is a general-purpose rights language, agnostic to the type of resource, platform, media, or business applications. The latest release, XrML 2.0, expands the capabilities of a digital rights language to enable developers to establish the rights and conditions needed to access web services in addition to digital content. It also contains additional capabilities in the areas of extensibility, security, and life cycle management. Recent actions in several standards bodies, most notably MPEG, OeBF and OASIS, have positioned XrML to become the world wide industry standard for a digital rights language. This paper provides a brief introduction to XrML, its data model, usage and extensibility as it applies to digital media, multi-tier content distribution and XML-based healthcare information.