Did you Hear That?
In the next section, we'll look at the process for identifying audio files and how it compensates for these challenges. The content-recognition software analyzes each song and creates a digital tag identifying that song. Several software companies plan to offer programs that can analyze audio and video clips, compare them to a database of content and determine whether they are from sources that are protected by copyright. Next, we'll take a look at exactly how it determines whether the songs are the same. After all, a WAV file and an MP3 file of the same song won't look the same from a programming-language perspective. Before sophisticated computer software and advanced methods for examining fingerprints became available, experts would look for points of similarity between different fingerprints. Since a clip could include any 10-minute segment from a film or television show under copyright, the content-recognition software must analyze the entire original work in such a way that it can make meaningful matches from a relatively small sample clip.
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When the program determines a match, a partnered application can take over. For one thing, there are dozens of ways to encode a sound or video file, so creating a program that looks for matching code isn't very useful. For example, you could adjust the program so that it only brings back match results if the algorithm determines that there is a 95 percent or better chance it's a match. Any program designed to find recordings like these can't rely only on programming language or identical files. Sites like YouTube normally count on users to report inappropriate material, but some don't consider clips that violate copyright law to be inappropriate. Although you like the song, you have no idea what it's called or who sings it. In a few seconds, you receive a text message with the name of the song, the artist's name and even a link you can follow to buy a copy. The application might send information to someone who wants to know the title of a song, or it might flag a song on a Web site and e-mail the corresponding record company's legal department. For a record company, this would include the company's entire music catalog.
Some record companies have used such software to scan file-sharing sites or to track content on Web sites that stream audio. Some projectionists have been known to set up a digital video camera in the projection room, recording a first-run movie on its premiere night. At the moment, most companies have to rely on employees to uncover proprietary video footage and log a report. You might think creating a program that recognizes video or audio content shouldn't be complicated, but it's proving to be a real challenge. Google isn't saying much about how the software manages this, but it's likely that the program analyzes overlapping chunks of the original content to create multiple fingerprints. Software that identifies songs via cell phone has to be able to identify the track despite the quality of the recording or the interfering background noise. Content-recognition software doesn't rely on the full range of sounds that might be present in the original recording because it might then overlook MP3 versions of the audio track. Until recently, companies had to rely on a human being to detect copyright violations and then take action. A few companies offer software that analyzes entire audio clips in order to get as complete a fingerprint as possible.
Video-identification software is still in the testing stage, though some companies are already holding effective demos of their programs. These programs are helpful if you want to learn about a song playing nearby. Most programs allow customers to adjust the level of similarity required to declare a match. In most cases, the specialist would need to demonstrate at least 16 points of similarity for a print to be considered a match. If the incoming clip doesn't fall in that range, it sends an error message to the user. Still, the initial identification of potential video piracy will be much more efficient. While the process for uncovering piracy may become more efficient, it will still require constant upkeep and maintenance. Ideally, the landmarks will be readily identifiable when scanning other music. Tags are called fingerprints or signatures. The identification process is similar to the way forensics experts once matched a suspect's fingerprints to those found at a crime scene. Challenges in identification won't end once the software is perfected, though. It's a tedious, inefficient process that may soon become unnecessary thanks to content-recognition software. To learn more about content-recognition software, check out the links on the next page.
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