A company that specializes in "DRM, video optimization, digital copy protection, and conditional access" will now be the property of Google.  Late last week, Google agreed to acquire Widevine Technologies for an undisclosed amount.

Widevine is no inconsequential startup.  The organization’s been around since 1999, and as of today, its customers include AT&T, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Dish Network, LG, Motorola, NBC.com, Netflix, and Samsung (among other important corporations).

As a result, the acquisition of Widevine may help Google prove to onlookers (like the networks and Viacom) that it’s serious about addressing Google TV and/or YouTube piracy issues.

Brian Baker, Widevine’s CEO, explained in a statement, "By working with Google, we are even further committed to the consumer Internet video experience and to the needs of content owners.  Widevine will continue to supply the industry with leading video optimization and content protection solutions."

As for what consumers should think, a post on the Official Google Blog added, "The Widevine team has worked to provide a better video delivery experience for businesses of all kinds: from the studios that create your favorite shows and movies, to the cable systems and channels that broadcast them online and on TV, to the hardware manufacturers that let you watch that content on a variety of devices."

It should be interesting to see how the integration progresses.