DTC: Content Protection to be a $2B Business by '09

The digital content protection business could generate upwards of $2 billion by 2009, according to the market research firm Digital Tech Consulting (DTC).

The firm estimates that in 2005, the market will generate $928 million and future sales are likely to come from the sale of HDTV and VOD products, digital music players like Apple iTunes and also smart phones.

The $600 million generated in 2004 was driven by digital pay TV and DVD technologies.

Additionally, the firm's research indicates that HDTV and DVR are fueling hardware sales and creating new revenue streams for vendors, and online media services are becoming more mainstream and thus, more valuable.