Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP)

Last Updated: June 29, 2012

Definition - What does Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP) mean?

Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP) is a device driver technology that uses logo identification to deny access to video outputs or recordings. It was developed to prevent unauthorized digital video applications through developed security technology. Microsoft has encrypted control signals to ensure this type of protection. There are three protection mechanisms, and any graphics adapter must support one of them. This protocol securely connects between the graphics driver and the communication channel. The primary purpose of this security measure is to block unauthorized users from streaming protected audio and video.

Techopedia explains Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP)

While displaying a video, whether or not the user is aware of it, the process of COPP is applied to the user's activities to guard against improper or unauthorized video streaming. Microsoft first enlisted this protection protocol to protect against illegal recordings or distribution of videos. COPP provides copy-protection capabilities and has warranted the approval of companies such as CyberLink since 2005.

For instance, if a user is attempting to stream an audio and receives a pop-up containing “Access Denied,” there is a very high probability that there is an application working in conjunction with Microsoft’s COPP.