The Microsoft® Windows Vista™ operating system introduces technology advances that create exciting opportunities for home entertainment. A fundamental goal for Windows Vista is to ensure that more content can flow through the PC. Consumers will have all the benefits and experiences that are available from consumer electronics devices, while they take advantage of the deep value of Microsoft Windows® PC systems, such as device support, management, and wide choice of applications and services.
As a foundation for new media experiences, Windows Vista enables the playback of next-generation premium content such as HD DVD and other formats that are protected under the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) standard. However, premium-content owners require a higher level of access protection than was previously necessary. PC systems and devices that do not comply with the policies that are associated with a given piece of content will not be able to play back that content. An example of such a requirement is that content can only be served to an identified kernel when it flows through the PC. An identified kernel has all of its modules signed by a trusted source
To ensure access to premium content, Windows Vista systems must support the protection policy requirements as defined by the premium-content owners. System and device manufacturers are working with Microsoft to meet these requirements. In general, content protection encompasses multiple technologies, such as copy protection, link protection, conditional access, and digital rights management (DRM). Each of these technologies attempts to ensure that content can be used only in a way that is consistent with what the content owner intended.
Important: These new policies pertain only to content that has not previously been available on PCs. The ability of users to play existing content by using existing protection technologies is not affected by changes in Windows Vista.
This paper introduces the code-signing requirements for drivers and applications that participate in the playback of premium content on Windows Vista systems. This paper assumes that the reader is familiar with basic concepts of output content protection in Windows Vista and driver signing. For a list of Web-based resources with detailed information, see "Resources" at the end of this paper. In particular, see the following key references:
The "Driver Signing" page on the WHDC Web site, especially the white paper titled Digital Signatures for Kernel Modules on x64-based Systems Running Windows Vista.
Output Content Protection and Windows Vista
"Providing a Driver Package" in the WDK
Using Catalog Files on MSDN
Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL): how to submit packages for signing
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