A large number of entertainment, consumer electronics and technology companies today pledged their support for the nascent ISO MPEG REL digital rights management standard.

MPEG REL is a vendor-neutral XML-based Rights Expression Language used to specify terms and conditions for the authorized distribution and use of any digital content. Its backers say it can be used not only in the entertainment industry, but also by enterprises and individuals to enable the authorized distribution and persistent protection of digital data and content. It is the first attempt by the international standards body to come up with a digital rights management standard.

Those pledging support included the Motion Picture Association of America, Microsoft, the Recording Industry Association of America, SAMSUNG Electronics, VeriSign and Warner Bros., among others.

ISO said MPEG REL is the first in a set of DRM industry standards. It is also working on standards for metadata, asset identification and aspects of security, protection and trust management.

"If DRM technologies are going to proliferate -- by helping ensure that creators are compensated and consumers can use that content in legitimate ways -- broadly accepted industry standards for interoperability are crucial," said Mike McGuire, research director with GartnerG2's Media team. "The ISO MPEG REL standard is an important milestone for the future of DRM and digital content delivery."

For more information or to view the actual spec, go here.