Challenge
EZDRM and Qualabs had already been working together on C2PA Live Signing for live streaming. When EZDRM wanted to prove that their DRM and C2PA Live Signing products were ready for next-generation delivery over MoQ, we joined forces to build it.
With three weeks to NAB, there was no working end-to-end demo and no existing reference integration to build from. While C2PA Live Signing and MoQ are each gaining significant traction independently, combining both with DRM protection within a single, cohesive end-to-end workflow had never been done before. The challenge was to design that integration from scratch, with the NAB conference deadline looming.
Process
The first step was defining the architecture. Our team, brought together expertise from EZDRM, Qualabs, and Ateme, mapped the full stack, identified which open-source tools could be extended, and established how each layer would interact. From there, implementation moved fast.
The integration required meaningful modifications across three open-source projects: moq-relay was adapted to sign content in real time as each segment arrives; c2pa-rs was extended to handle live CMAF streams instead of static files; and c2pa-js was tuned so player-side verification happens seamlessly during playback.
"EZDRM loves to work ahead of the curve on technologies that we feel are significant advances in the world of media delivery and revenue security. We are strong advocates and active contributors to the C2PA standards that enable provenance assertions for live video, and working on MoQ shows how we can extend fundamental security solutions to support exciting new protocols."
Solution
Live video flows from Ateme's packager, which pulls EZDRM's Universal DRM encryption keys and encrypts it, before the EZDRM C2PA Live Signer stamps each segment with a cryptographic signature inside the MoQ relay, built and integrated by Qualabs, proving who created the content and that it hasn't been altered, and delivering it at ultra-low latency. The player validates every single segment as it plays.
The key design decision was that MoQ replaces the transport layer, nothing else. DRM, content packaging, and provenance signing all keep working exactly as before. Broadcasters and platforms don't have to rebuild their workflows to adopt MoQ. They get ultra-low latency delivery on top of the standards they already use, with content trust baked in.
"At Ateme, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology remains a core company value. By combining ongoing innovation around C2PA integration within the streaming headend with the low-latency capabilities enabled by Media over QUIC, Ateme is unlocking new possibilities for live and interactive workflows. These advancements pave the way for emerging use cases such as real-time betting, powered by next-generation streaming protocols."
Result
The demo delivered a complete live streaming workflow integrating MoQ, DRM, and C2PA Live Signing, running end-to-end in real time. For the first time, there is a working reference that validates MoQ as a viable transport layer for standards-based workflows, without requiring changes to existing content protection or provenance infrastructure. MoQ can coexist with established media workflows, and whether real-time content provenance at scale is achievable today.
For broadcasters navigating the growing threat of synthetic and manipulated content, this integration establishes a concrete path forward. Every segment of a live stream can be cryptographically traced to its verified source, in real time, without compromising delivery performance.
For platforms evaluating MoQ adoption, it removes a critical barrier: ultra-low latency and content trust are no longer competing priorities.
Olga Kornienko COO and Co-Founder at EZDRM
“Working with the talented team at Qualabs on solutions at the frontier of the evolving media delivery landscape is always a pleasure, and the results vividly demonstrate their strong technical knowledge and the importance of partnerships in this marketplace.”
Mickaël Raulet Chief Technology Officer at ATEME
"The industry progresses faster when partners collaborate to address complex technical challenges. Our partnerships with Qualabs and EzDRM are instrumental in driving innovation and advancing the media and entertainment ecosystem as a whole."
About the contributors
EZDRM delivers a fully integrated suite of security solutions that help maximize revenue for streaming services. Its core DRM-as-a-Service (DRMaaS) offering is complemented by C2PA-based tools that manage and scale content provenance assertions for video, with key rotation and geo-targeting offered through Precision Envelope Management. With deep industry-standard support and broad workflow integrations. EZDRM enables an enhanced viewer experience for live, on-demand, downloadable, or offline content across the widest range of consumer devices. Seamless integration with video player technology enables secure, low-latency playback, expanding business opportunities. With straightforward, cost-effective engagement, EZDRM continues to set the benchmark for end-to-end video revenue security.
Ateme is a global leader of video compression and delivery solutions, helping tier-one content providers, service providers, and streaming platforms boost their viewership. Leveraging an R&D task force that is unique in the video industry, Ateme’s solutions power sustainable TV services, improve end-users’ quality of experience, optimize the total cost of ownership of video services, and generate new revenue streams based on personalization and ad insertion. Beyond offering technological agility, Ateme partners with its customers, offering flexible business models that match their priorities.
