Copyright protection of your content on Kwiga

Every creator of online courses, educational materials, or presentations eventually faces the issue of protecting their content. Regardless of the format—video, text files, PDFs, or presentations—it's essential to ensure their security to prevent unauthorized distribution.

However, there are many ways to access content without the author’s permission in the digital world. The most common methods include:

• Downloading via a direct link using third-party services

• Recording the screen while the material is being played

• Using programs to edit and copy files

Can this be prevented? On the Kwiga platform, we have developed a range of measures to complicate unauthorized copying and continually improve our protection system.

Downloading videos via a link

The first level of protection is restricting the ability to obtain a direct video link and download it. For example, unlisted YouTube videos accessible only via a link can still be easily downloaded using numerous third-party services such as SS YouTube*.

Free Vimeo accounts also do not guarantee protection, even if the “do not allow downloads” option is enabled. Such videos can be accessed via services like Vimeo Downloader*. Videos uploaded to the Kwiga platform cannot be accessed via a direct link and are unavailable without authorization.

The second level of protection is restricting video access to specific domains. This is available in paid Vimeo accounts. However, this method can also be bypassed by spoofing the browser referrer, for example, using the Referer Control* extension or similar tools. Despite some limitations, this level of protection serves as an additional barrier against unauthorized access, and experts may apply it to Kwiga as one of the anti-piracy methods.

The next level of protection involves splitting the video file into numerous small segments, which are gradually delivered to the user. This method makes it harder to download the entire video, although apps and browser extensions can also bypass this mechanism, such as CocoCut*.

An additional level of protection is provided through video encryption technologies. For example, third-party services such as BunnyCDN with MediaCage DRM can protect content from downloaders and screen recorders. Using this method:

• The video is uploaded to BunnyCDN

• Basic DRM encryption is enabled

• The video link is integrated into lessons on the Kwiga platform

This level significantly increases the security of materials, making unauthorized copying and distribution more difficult. However, it’s important to remember that any digital content, regardless of protection level, can still be recorded using external technical solutions.

At Kwiga, we use all available protection levels to make video copying as tricky as possible.

*The apps and extensions mentioned are listed solely to illustrate how easy it can be to download content. We encourage everyone to treat intellectual property protection responsibly and not use these tools to copy and distribute materials illegally. 

Screen Recording

Screen recording can be prohibited within specialized mobile or desktop applications. However, such restrictions cannot be applied in browsers, making screen recording one of the simplest ways to copy content.

Some platforms address this issue by offering users access to materials through mobile or desktop apps with built-in protection tools. These tools allow the blocking of many third-party video recording programs.

On the Kwiga platform, we use a similar approach in our mobile apps for Android and iOS, which helps reduce the risk of unauthorized copying. However, as with other protection methods, it is impossible to eliminate the possibility of screen recording.

Indirect Protection

In addition to direct protection methods, there are also indirect ways to control content distribution:

• IP Address Tracking – The system can detect when students log into their accounts from different devices and regions. On Kwiga, through Access Control settings, experts can independently define the number of simultaneous logins and identify suspicious activity.

• Adding a Watermark to Videos – One method of identifying a violator. Two main options are embedding a watermark directly into the video or overlaying it during playback.

A script that displays a watermark during video playback on a lesson page can be easily bypassed—it’s enough to get the direct link to the video and download it without the watermark. Another method allows users to hide the watermark on the page and record the screen without it.

A more reliable method of identifying a violator is embedding a unique watermark directly into the video. However, this approach has some limitations: a separate video version must be created for each student, which becomes impractical when there are more than 50 participants and requires a large amount of storage for hosting. Therefore, this method is effective for mini-courses but unsuitable for large-scale projects.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that a watermark that appears in only a few frames can be easily removed or cut out while preserving the audio track.

Protection of Presentations and PDF Files

The most common approach is adding a watermark to the pages to prevent unauthorized distribution of such materials. This creates specific difficulties for copying, as removing the watermark in a PDF editor requires manually deleting it from each page or slide.

Another method is embedding metadata in the file, but this approach, like password protection, can be easily bypassed since tools are available to remove such restrictions.

We understand that eliminating all risks is challenging, but we are constantly looking for the best solutions to protect content. Experts can contact us on Telegram if they have questions or need a consultation.

Conclusions \ How to Protect Yourself

Currently, there is no 100% guaranteed way to protect digital content from being copied. Even the best security systems cannot prevent screen recording, as there are external technical means that allow users to make video copies without direct access to the files. This means that if someone is determined to distribute your content, they will be able to do so regardless of the protection level and even with a minimal budget.

It’s also important to understand that a category of people actively searches for free courses on various forums and pirate websites. However, in most cases, these users are not potential buyers—if they don’t find your course freely available, they’ll simply move on to another free resource. Therefore, the appearance of your course on such sites does not necessarily lead to a significant decrease in sales.

Instead, the most effective way to combat piracy is to create value that cannot be stolen or copied. We recommend focusing on the following aspects:

• Quality of service – Create a comfortable learning environment that officially motivates users to take the course.

• Expert and mentor support – Interactive assistance, answering questions, and providing feedback increase the value of the course.

• Closed community – The opportunity to discuss materials with other participants adds motivation to stay within the official platform.

• Access to updates – New materials, additions, and exclusive content make the official version more appealing, among other things.

Thus, instead of putting effort into complete control and protection (which still isn’t foolproof), it’s better to focus on building a unique educational ecosystem that cannot be replicated or accessed for free on third-party platforms. Kwiga helps implement effective protection mechanisms and enhances the value of your content for genuine buyers.