Jupitermedia Makes DRM Push

Jupitermedia Corp. this morning announced moves to gain a foothold in a critical and fast-changing IT area — digital rights management.

The Darien, Conn.-based company (which publishes this Web site) has acquired the DRMwatch.com Web site and e-mail newsletter from GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies and its principal Bill Rosenblatt. Terms were not disclosed.

In addition, the company’s Jupiter Research division will launch a research practice covering DRM issues. Finally, taking advantage of its editorial and research assets, the company will introduce a new trade show, Digital Rights Management Strategies Conference & Expo in April 2004 in New York.

“Digital Rights Management is clearly the number one issue affecting media companies of all stripes,” Jupitermedia CEO Alan M. Meckler said in a statement. “DRM is also impacting companies in financial services, health care and many other industries
around the world.”

Rosenblatt, whose involvement with DRM issues began in 1994 when he was working at Times Mirror Co., will continue as editor of DRMwatch.com and play a key role in developing the conference program.

In 2001, Rosenblatt wrote a book on the topic. After it went to press, he started the Web site to document all the changes that happened since.

“We intend to make Jupitermedia the premier source of news, analysis and education on DRM and related subjects,” Rosenblatt said in a statement.