- AuthenTec Offers Unique, Open Standard DRM Solution to Address Fast-growing E-Book Market
MELBOURNE, Fla. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
AuthenTec (NASDAQ:AUTH), a leading provider of security, identity management and touch control solutions, and Atos Origin (Euronext: ATO), an international IT services company, today announced that they have delivered a secure e-book solution for Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET), a major Taiwanese mobile operator. The e-book digital rights management (DRM) solution was launched commercially by Far EasTone earlier this month for e-book clients using notebook and netbook PCs, and a broad range of mobile phones to download copyrighted book content. AuthenTec is the only vendor providing an open standard client-side and server-side DRM solution, combining ease-of-use with multi-platform support for e-book users and carriers offering e-book/e-reader services.
Yankee Group expects the global market for e-readers, which includes e-books like the Kindle or Nook, to top $1.2 billion in 2010, and forecasts total e-reader sales to reach $3.7 billion in 2013. Yankee Group's forecast does not include tablet PCs such as Apple's iPad - also offering e-book capabilities - which achieved 3 million unit shipments in its first 80 days of availability.
Atos and FET selected AuthenTec's DRM Fusion Agent to provide service and content protection on FET's new e-book service. The secure e-book solution delivered by AuthenTec and Atos Origin uses an open standards-based Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology, Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) DRM 2.0, to protect content and enable multiple business models including download-to-own, monthly subscriptions, and annual subscriptions. The OMA DRM version 2.O standard allows operators and content providers to use new distribution models facilitating widespread use of mobile technology for a variety of applications. Unlike existing DRM approaches which rely on proprietary technology owned by a single vendor, OMA DRM 2.0 is an open standards-based solution that benefits members of the e-book ecosystem, offering:
- A wide range of compatible e-book platform choices for consumers
- Expanded client service offerings for mobile operators
- Content protection assurance and multiple e-book service provider options for publishers
"We are delighted to launch our new mobile e-book service to help meet the strong demand from our subscribers," said Richard Liao, Information Technology Director at Far EasTone Telecommunications. "Atos Origin and AuthenTec delivered a secure e-book DRM solution on time and on budget that addresses our requirements for high-availability, flexibility and interoperability with the broad range of client platforms on our network."
"AuthenTec's OMA DRM 2.0 offering is a key component in FET's e-book solution, meeting the requirements of clients and publishers," said Sin Chen, Vice President of Managed Operations/Technology Services at Atos Origin. "AuthenTec is the only vendor capable of providing open standards-based DRM for both the server and client sides, and we expect FET's new client offering to set a new standard for e-book services launched by mobile operators."
"Atos Origin was an ideal partner for AuthenTec in the FET e-book solution - their highly-skilled service professionals complement our unique DRM product offering. We believe open DRM is essential to the future of e-books as publishers try to learn from the challenges that online delivery has brought to markets like music. FET is a pioneer among mobile operators in the e-book market and should be recognized for its entrepreneurial thinking," said Simon Blake-Wilson, Vice President for AuthenTec's Embedded Security Solutions.
AuthenTec's DRM Fusion family is part of the Company's TrueProtectTM offerings and is the industry's only complete portfolio of standards-based client and server-side DRM security solutions to license, protect, and monetize digital entertainment content and services. AuthenTec's DRM offering includes downloadable client applications for a broad selection of platforms, including Android, iPhone, and PC. When built directly into existing digital content service platforms and handsets, AuthenTec's portfolio of client- and server-side security solutions enables mobile operators and service providers to effectively and securely bring new features and services to market quickly.
About Atos Origin
Atos is a leading international IT services provider that helps integrate, design, build, and operate IT network solutions to large multi-national clients in carefully targeted industry sectors. Atos Origin is one of the few companies that can provide all the 'design, build and operate' elements of a business solution. More than 60% of the revenue base is recurring, deriving from multi-year outsourcing and application maintenance contracts, and delivering this within a global framework of three major Service Lines.
About AuthenTec
AuthenTec provides security, identity management and touch control solutions for enterprise and consumer applications. The Company's smart sensor products and security solutions are used in virtually every aspect of life, from the PC on your desk to the mobile device in your hand to the server in the cloud. AuthenTec's newest generation of TruePrint® smart sensors, TrueSuite® identity management software and TrueProtectTM embedded security products (formerly SafeNet Embedded Security Solutions) provide developers and users secure and convenient ways to manage today's rapidly evolving digital identities and security needs. For more information, visit www.authentec.com or follow us at twitter.com/authentecnews.
CONTACT:
AuthenTec
Brent Dietz, Director of Communications, +1-321-308-1320
brent.dietz@authentec.com