ArtistScope Portable Media (APM)
ArtistScope Portable Media (APM) provides the means
to distribute media displayed on web pages without using a web
server. APM packages web pages into a single file
that will run on any Windows computer as a mini web server. APM
files can be distributed by email, download or on disk and their
content cannot be extracted to retrieve the media within.
Why use APM?
APM enables authors to bundle many different
media displays into a single archive that can be indexed and linked
like pages on a web site. It also enables the distribution of media
that can be copy protected using a web site protection solution like
CopySafe. Different media such as images, PDF and video ideally
require different copy protection solutions to best protect them and
APM is the best method for delivering them in a single archive that
cannot be extracted.
Using a copy protection solution can be more complex but doable with
a little experience. For example you can display images and web
pages protected by CopySafe Web, display video protected by
CopySafe
Video and display PDF protected by
CopySafe PDF all on the same
archive.
APM can also provide the option of protecting your media archive from
sharing by employing DRM that can be managed by either an online server (call-to-home) or by offline token file.
Yes, APM is a complex solution but that is because it was created as a single solution to cater for a variety of situations:
- Display web pages locally without a web site.
- Prevent media from being extracted and plagiarized.
- Bundle and index a variety of different media displays.
- Provide protection from sharing by employing DRM.
- Provide DRM managed by online and/or offline token file.
- Provide a platform for using CopySafe PDF, Video or Web protection.
Who benefits the most by using APM?
Anyone distributing a package of several or varied types of media such as PDF and video for correspondence courses that can be viewed away from the Internet. In fact APM was specially designed to cater for the need of LAPWARE who provide correspondence courses in seamanship certification that are mostly studied while afloat and without Internet.
Non-DRM Media Archives
APM archives not protected by DRM will open in the user's default web browser. However they can password protected or otherwise limited by expiry date.
DRM and Access Tokens
If DRM is applied to an APM file, it will open in the ArtisBrowser so that the user's unique Computer ID can be determined and matched to their DRM permission request. If an Access Token is not found the permission request will be sent to the DRM server online. Access Tokens can be provided by the media author and assigned per individual user.
APM Subscriber Account
APM subscriber accounts can only be provided by media authors after subscribing to their paid video service or correspondence course. Subscribers need to use the ArtisBrowser to log in before collecting their Access Tokens.
ArtisBrowser
The ArtisBrowser is the only web browser that still supports real browser plugins so that authors can extend the copy protection of their media by preventing copy/save and screen capture while their media is exposed for display.
APM Reader
The APM Reader is a free download to the public and can be distributed with your media archives. If a media archive is packaged for Token Protection then the ArtisBrowser will be required. Without Token Protection the archive can be viewed in the user's default web browser. An Access Token needs to be saved to the same folder that stores the media archive for the Reader to find it.
APM Packager
Output options are:
- Password protected - leave blank for no password. Opens in default web browser.
- or Token protected - an access token is required for viewing. Opens in ASPS web browser.
Downloads and Demos
ArtistScope Portable Media software can be used for free. Both the Reader and Packager are free to use without limitation. However to use DRM you need to subscribe to the APM Token Management service to manage subscribers, archives and DRM permissions.
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APM Reader Software * (version 3.0.6.1) | Download | 2.24 Mb |
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* ArtisBrowser (includes APM Reader and CopySafe plugins) | Download | 59 Mb |
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APM Packager Software (version 3.0.5.2) | Download | 2.28 Mb |
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Reader User Guide in PDF | Download | 222 Kb |
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Packager User Guide in PDF | Download | 145 Kb |
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APM Media Example | Download | 17.9 Mb |
Changes and Revision
| 2018-01-31 | APM and CopySafe readers now included in the ArtisBrowser. |
| 2017-11-04 | APM Token Management revised to resolve download and expiry issues. |
| 2017-01-01 | APM Reader version 3.0.6.1 resolves some issues with "corrupt tokens". |
| 2016-09-30 | APM Packager updated to create placeholder for APM portal upload. APM Reader included in the ArtistScope browser install (installer v2.0.1.19). |
| 2016-09-12 | APM Token Management integrated with CopySafe PDF portal. |
| 2015-11-15 | APM software is released to supersede ArtistScope CD. |
Tutorials and Templates
Using the APM Packager will require some familiarity if you rely on a CMS like WordPress to create web pages, because the APM solution requires that you display your media on web pages using HTML. The following list of tutorials on videos will walk you through the steps with templates for displaying different media:
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How to create APM files for CopySafe PDF | Watch video | 44 Mb |
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Packaging Protected PDF for APM | Download | 2 Mb |
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CopySafe PDF template for APM Packager | Download | 255 Kb |
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How to create APM files for CopySafe Web | Watch video | 60 Mb |
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CopySafe Web template for APM Packager | Download | 17.6 Mb |
APM DRM Management
The ArtistScope Portable Media (APM) Reader and Packager are FREE software. The Reader can be distributed on disk with media archives providing that its installer remains intact. However to assign and manage DRM an Author license file is required and can be attained by subscribing to our paid DRM service:
Frequent Questions and Answers
- Does APM provide all the copy protection that I need?
No. APM provides the means to display web style content offline and with the option of using DRM to prevent sharing. The ArtistScope web browser enhances protection of the web pages displayed from your APM archive, but to add copy protection that prevents PrintScreen and screen capture you will need to use a third party solution. For example CopySafe PDF can used for PDF documents or CopySafe Web can be used to copy protect web pages. Either solution can be used and their domain-lock licensing already includes the "localhost" option regardless of the main site that it can be purchased for.
- Are there comparable solutions to APM?
APM is most unique as it evolved from ArtisCD which was similar but did not cater for DRM especially DRM that could be used while offline. But if there is a similar solution out there by now, it will not be anywhere near as secure as APM when used with DRM and CopySafe.
- Why is content described as being delivered "web style"?
APM delivers content displayed on web pages. So any media that you need to display must be embedded on a web page. Then for you index you simply provide a HTML file that links to ach of the pages.
- Are there any special requirements for the HTML?
No. But the start page must be named "index.html" and all other pages should use thee .html suffix/extension
- Can programming languages like PHP or ASP be used?
No. Basic HTML and JavaScript are all that is supported and all that is needed.
- Can I use the HTML5 media player to display my video?
No. HTML5 may be supported in a future release but for now is not necessary and not supported. To display video and Flash we recommend using FlowPlayer which can be licensed to "localhost" which is the URL of the APM mini web server.
- Can PDF documents be displayed securely?
Yes. But as with an form of web display, normal PDF cannot be allowed to use Adobe Reader resources because they expose the document to all sorts of unwanted save and print options. Instead PDF can be displayed via a HTML module as in our example file, or by using the CopySafe PDF browser plugin.
- Can APM archives be searched from the Internet?
Absolutely not. Anyway why would anyone want to do what will expose content to exploit? Copy protection solutions can only remain secure by preventing ALL such unauthorized access.
- Is APM software really free to uses?
Yes. But applying and managing DRM to prevent sharing and unauthorized distribution you need to use the APM Token Management service which requires payment of a monthly subscription. Author accounts can be rented perpetually or only used for short term campaigns.
- What type of files can be displayed via APM?
Any type of files that can be displayed on a web page. For example, images, PDF, Flash and video can be displayed on web pages, but PowerPoint cannot.
- Are hyperlinks and bookmarks supported?
Yes. Bookmarks within the same archive are supported and hyperlinks to resources on the Internet are also supported. But bookmarks linking between separate APM archives are not supported.
- Is it necessary to be online to open a DRM protected APM archive?
No. APM was especially designed for offline use, for merchant seamen and the like, who cannot access the Internet while reading an APM archive.
- Are there any limitations/requirements to use offline DRM?
Yes. While users can open DRM protected APM archives while offline by installing a DRM Token file, they do need to be online at the onset to collect their DRM token file. That way their computer ID can be identified and included in the DRM Token file.
- Can the Token Management service be purchased and installed on my server?
No. This would be like giving the keys to the city. There can only be one Token dispensary and it is provided by ArtistScope as a rented service. That way the APM archives of other authors cannot be exploited and no-one outside ArtistScope has a clue as to how the DRM Tokens work or the encryption used.
- What happens if I let my Token Management service expire?
No consequence. Any APM archives and tokens already distributed will still work. The only change is loss of access to the service for you to add new subscribers and archive tokens.
- Can APM be read on all devices and OS such as phones?
No. Windows is required. However Mac can install the APM Reader and ArtistScope browser by running Windows in a Parallels partition.
- Are there plans to extend APM support to other OS?
Not possible. All non-Windows OS are useless for real copy protection because they cannot prevent copy at system level and cannot reliably identify the user's machine to properly enforce DRM. Authors publishing their intellectual property for such devices do so at their own peril.
