Method and system for watermarking video media to trace video distribution

Abstract

An approach is provided for a segment-based viewing of a watermarked recording. The approach involves storing a plurality of media associated with a plurality of interviewees, wherein each of the plurality of media represents a recording of an unscripted interview of a corresponding interviewee. The approach also involves receiving a request to access one of the plurality of media. The approach further involves determining source-identifying information associated with the request. The approach additionally involves generating a watermark based, at least in part, on the source-identifying information. The approach further involves modifying the one media to superimpose the watermark on the recording. The approach also involves initiating transmission of the modified media to a target device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 storing a plurality of media associated with a plurality of interviewees, wherein each of the plurality of media represents a recording of an unscripted interview of a corresponding interviewee;   receiving a request to access one of the plurality of media;   determining source-identifying information associated with the request;   generating a watermark based, at least in part, on the source-identifying information;   modifying the one media to superimpose the watermark on the recording; and   initiating transmission of the modified media to a target device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source-identifying information includes user information about a user associated with the request, the method further comprising:
 converting the user information into the watermark.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source-identifying information includes information about the target device, the method further comprising:
 converting the target device information into the watermark.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the modified media to the target device is based, at least in part, on authentication of the target device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the authentication of the target device comprises:
 processing target device information based, at least in part, on the request from the target device to access the one media;   verifying predefined values, a preset username and password, user identification, device identification, or a combination thereof associated with the target device, user associated with the request, or a combination thereof; and   associating the one media with the target device based, at least in part, on the verification.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the recording of the unscripted interview;   performing an audio analysis of the recording to determine content information, wherein the content information comprises one or more questions, one or more topics, or a combination thereof;   determining one or more segments of the recording based, at least in part, on the content information; and   presenting the recording, one or more indicators, or a combination thereof to the target device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more indicators correspond to the one or more segments, and wherein the one or more indicators navigate playback of the recording between the one or more segments. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark is superimposed on a pre-determined location of the recording. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the target device information comprises international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), an electronic serial number, a mobile equipment identity (MEID) or other identifiers unique to the target device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the user information comprises personal information, contact information, or a combination thereof of the user associated with the request. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,
 store a plurality of media associated with a plurality of interviewees, wherein each of the plurality of media represents a recording of an unscripted interview of a corresponding interviewee; 
 receive a request to access one of the plurality of media; 
 determine source-identifying information associated with the request; 
 generate a watermark based, at least in part, on the source-identifying information; 
 modify the one media to superimpose the watermark on the recording; and 
 initiate transmission of the modified media to a target device. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the source-identifying information includes user information about a user associated with the request, the apparatus further comprising:
 convert the user information into the watermark.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the source-identifying information includes information about the target device, the apparatus being further caused to:
 convert the target device information into the watermark.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the transmission of the modified media to the target device is based, at least in part, on authentication of the target device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 process target device information based, at least in part, on the request from the target device to access the one media;   verify predefined values, a preset username and password, user identification, device identification, or a combination thereof associated with the target device, user associated with the request, or a combination thereof; and   associate the one media with the target device based, at least in part, on the verification.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , the apparatus being further caused to:
 receive the recording of the unscripted interview;   perform an audio analysis of the recording to determine content information, wherein the content information comprises one or more questions, one or more topics, or a combination thereof;   determine one or more segments of the recording based, at least in part, on the content information; and   present the recording, one or more indicators, or a combination thereof to the target device.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more indicators correspond to the one or more segments, and wherein the one or more indicators navigate playback of the recording between the one or more segments. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:
 storing a plurality of media associated with a plurality of interviewees, wherein each of the plurality of media represents a recording of an unscripted interview of a corresponding interviewee;   receiving a request to access one of the plurality of media;   determining source-identifying information associated with the request;   generating a watermark based, at least in part, on the source-identifying information;   modifying the one media to superimpose the watermark on the recording; and   initiating transmission of the modified media to a target device.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the source-identifying information includes user information about a user associated with the request, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 converting the user information into the watermark.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the source-identifying information includes information about the target device, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 converting the target device information into the watermark.