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From a policy perspective, it is necessary to further refine the legal framework
governing technological protection measures for rights management, while clearly
delineating the boundary between legitimate copyright protection and anti-competitive
conduct. Policymakers should encourage the adoption of open standards and data
portability across platforms, and strengthen digital copyright enforcement mechanisms in
tandem with the development of lawful content markets. Enterprises alongside
policymakers should advocate for and adapt to a more balanced regulatory approach that
clarifies the boundary between legitimate DRM use and anti-competitive practices;
encourages open standards and data portability; and strengthens enforcement while
supporting innovation and market entry. The objective is not to replicate rigid “walled
gardens,” but to foster secure, transparent, and competitive digital ecosystems.
5.7. Developing human resources for digital rights governance
An important yet often overlooked factor is human capacity. Enterprises should
invest in developing and training specialized personnel in digital intellectual property
management, DRM technologies and content security, as well as data analytics and digital
platform operations. Such capabilities are essential for transforming DRM from a
technical tool into a strategic asset that supports long-term competitiveness.
6. Conclusion and research limitations
6.1. Conclusion
In the context of the rapidly expanding digital economy, DRM has evolved from a
purely technical tool for copyright protection into a strategic component in the design
and governance of digital platform ecosystems. The “walled garden” model demonstrates
a close integration of technology, business models, and market-control strategies,
enabling firms not only to safeguard intellectual property but also to generate
competitive advantages by retaining users within an integrated ecosystem.
The analysis of Apple inc. case illustrates that DRM is not solely intended to prevent
unauthorized copying; it is also employed to shape user behavior, reinforce ecosystem
lock-in, and optimize the economic value of digital content. However, excessive reliance
on technological control mechanisms may raise concerns regarding interoperability,
consumer choice, and the risk of restricting market competition.
In Vietnam, the digital content market is currently in a transitional phase, marked by
the rapid growth of domestic content distribution platforms and digital services. The legal
system has begun to recognize and protect technological protection measures, thereby
establishing a foundational legal basis for DRM implementation in practice. Nevertheless,
current applications remain fragmented and largely focused on anti-piracy functions,
without fully leveraging DRM as a tool for business model innovation and ecosystem
development.
Accordingly, this study argues that Vietnamese enterprises should adopt a long-
term strategic approach to DRM—one that combines intellectual property protection
with the development of controlled-open platforms, enhanced technological
interoperability, lawful exploitation of user data, and the construction of sustainable
digital content value chains. Such an approach is essential for enabling domestic firms to
participate more deeply in the global digital content market.
6.2. Contributions and limitations of the study
This research makes three principal contributions. First, it clarifies the relationship
between DRM and the “walled garden” model, emphasizing the role of rights-
management technologies as mechanisms of market organization within the platform

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