The MPEG-21 standard, from the Moving Picture Experts Group aims at defining an open framework for multimedia applications. ISO 21000.
Specifically, MPEG-21 defines a "Rights Expression Language" standard as means of sharing digital rights/permissions/restrictions for digital content from content creator to content consumer. As an XML-based standard, MPEG-21 is designed to communicate machine-readable license information and do so in a "ubiquitous, unambiguous and secure" manner.