Exploiting MPEG-21 File Format for cross media content

Cross media and hypermedia content formats and related tools have to take into account aspects related to the protection and management of intellectual property right along the value chain from content production to content distribution up to the final user. In this view, the relevance of MPEG-21 standard is growing also for the B2B manipulation of digital objects, using the nested levels of protection in the B2B exchanges. When studying how to map the produced nested Digital Items on the File Format standard several difficulties have been faced since the MPEG-21 have limitations in managing protected nested levels that are very relevant for the B2B activities. The paper discusses them and proposes solutions that have been realized in the AXMEDIS models and tools. AXMEDIS is a research and development integrated project of the European Commission. Keywords: MPEG-21, content distribution, File format, nested protecting levels, B2B packaging.