Synamedia buys ContentArmor for forensic watermarking tech

Video software provider Synamedia has announced the acquisition of forensic watermarking form ContentArmor.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. 

Synamedia said that it will integrate ContentArmor’s tech and patents into its portfolio of security offerings, including its Synamedia EverGuard anti-piracy services. The integration, Synamedia added, will boost its anti-piracy capabilities for movie studios and sports rights holders, across both OTT and direct-to-consumer services.

ContentArmor’s main focus of development has been its edge watermarking tech, with Synamedia citing anticipated market demand for such solutions as being motivation for the acquisition. 

As part of the purchase, ContentArmor CEO Alain Durand will join Synamedia’s leadership team while the team will continue to be based in Rennes, France, as a new R&D hub for the company. 

Durand said: “While head-end watermarking is now at the heart of any studio or service provider’s security requirements, we are primed for the future with our edge watermarking solution. By combining our high-performance technology with Synamedia’s unparalleled intelligence-led security offerings, service providers can future-proof their revenues from the menace of piracy.”

Paul Segre, Synamedia CEO, said: “ContentArmor’s expertise and investment in R&D has resulted in more than 30% growth year-on-year since its inception, along with an impressive patent portfolio. This acquisition further accelerates our industry-leading security business, with edge watermarking fueling new opportunities in the D2C streaming space and for 5G. In the security domain, our clear objective is to meet the needs of all video service providers that care about anti-piracy. The acquisition of ContentArmor strengthens that proposition.