DVB-MHP Identifiers

MHP has unique Identifiers to identify application types and MHP application providers. The following Identifiers are available:

• MHP Organisations
• MHP Application Types
• MHP AIT (Application Information Table) Descriptors
• MHP Protocols

Currently the DVB Project Office acts as a registration authority for DVB (and MHP) Identifiers. Visit the DVB website to find the tables listing current allocations and to find out how to apply for an Identifier.

MHP PKI - Security for MHP Applications

The DVB-MHP PKI (public key infrastructure) provides the backbone for authenticating applications and files that are broadcast to an MHP receiver. This authentication process is designed to ensure that the application code has not been modified from that originally developed by its author, is permitted to execute on devices connected to the broadcast network, and that the application only accesses the set of restricted resources that it has been authorised to access.

The DVB MHP PKI relies on the integrity of certificates that verify the identity of the entity who has signed an application’s file tree. The highest level certificate, known as the “root certificate” is embedded into each MHP receiver by its manufacturer, and this is used to authenticate a certificate at the next level in the hierarchy. This authentication process is repeated through each level of the certificate hierarchy until a leaf (or end-entity) certificate is encountered and authenticated. Thus users can be sure that application has not been modified and is only using the intended resources.

The MHP PKI was built and is operated by WISeKey SA, on behalf of DVB Services Sarl.

DVB Services Sarl

The following resource may also be useful:
Broadcast Signing Engine - a Java based tool for digitally signing MHP applications

MHP Patent Pool

Under the IPR policy of the DVB, members agree to license IPR essential to DVB specifications on terms fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, (except for those IPRs for which it gives notice that it has no right to license). The DVB also fosters the formation of voluntary joint licensing regimes. It is, however, for the rights holders, and not for DVB, to specify the royalty rate and other terms of these pools. More information on the DVB's IPR policy is available on the DVB website. Note that the IPR policy of other standards bodies, for example ETSI, may also apply to a DVB specification.

In the context of MHP, our IPR policy has:

• confirmed the availability of essential IPRs when no DVB member responded that its essential IPRs were NOT available on terms fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory;
• overseen the completion of arrangements for conformance testing and licensing of Sun's essential IPR;
• fostered the formation of a common licensing administration covering the other IPRs essential to MHP by naming a patent coordinator to review declarations of essentiality submitted by rights holders; and
• convoked an initial meeting of successful declarants so that these rights holders could decide the next steps of the pooling effort.

This step concludes the DVB's involvement in the process.

Via Licensing Corporation makes available a worldwide joint license agreement for patents deemed essential to implementing MHP 1.0. In addition to per device license fees payable by manufacturers, a fee is also sought from operators of subscription-based services. In June 2008 it was announced that free-to-air broadcasters would not be required to pay any licence fees. More information can be obtained directly from Via Licensing.