Netflix has licensed Irdeto's Cloakware Embedded Security content-protection software, which the movie-rental company will use as part of expanding the array of devices that are able to stream TV shows and movies over the Internet.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. With Irdeto's Cloakware technology, Netflix said it will "continue to expand its offerings to more popular consumer devices."
Currently, the Netflix Internet-streaming feature is available on about a dozen devices, including Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii gaming console, TiVo DVRs, Apple's iPad tablet, and HDTVs and Blu-ray disc players from Samsung, LG and Sony.
"As we looked to proactively enhance our content offerings, Irdeto with its Cloakware security technology, was a natural choice to support our commitment to digital content protection," Netflix vice president of business development Bill Holmes said in a statement.
Netflix uses digital rights management systems from Microsoft and Widevine Technologies. Irdeto is "not proposing to change these," but instead will layer additional capabilities around Netflix's existing security measures, said Jan Steenkamp, Irdeto's vice president of Americas.
"What Netflix needs to do to implement content security in a consistent way, to apply it to all the instances and devices," Steenkamp said.
Irdeto, which has headquarters in Beijing and Amsterdam, employs 850 people around the world. The company is a subsidiary of South African media conglomerate Naspers.
