Position: 3D Gaussian Splatting Watermarking Should Be Scenario-Driven and Threat-Model Explicit

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of scenario-driven security models for watermarking 3D Gaussian Splatting assets, proposing a framework that aligns security objectives with realistic threat scenarios to improve IP protection.

Contribution

It introduces a scenario-driven security formulation and a reference framework for 3D watermarking, addressing gaps in security specification and evaluation for 3D content.

Findings

Analyzes legacy spread-spectrum watermarking scheme

Highlights trade-offs in watermarking design choices

Proposes a formal threat model for 3D watermarking

Abstract

3D content acquisition and creation are expanding rapidly in the new era of machine learning and AI. 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) has become a promising high-fidelity and real-time representation for 3D content. Similar to the initial wave of digital audio-visual content at the turn of the millennium, the demand for intellectual property protection is also increasing, since explicit and editable 3D parameterization makes unauthorized use and dissemination easier. In this position paper, we argue that effective progress in watermarking 3D assets requires articulated security objectives and realistic threat models, incorporating the lessons learned from digital audio-visual asset protection over the past decades. To address this gap in security specification and evaluation, we advocate a scenario-driven formulation, in which adversarial capabilities are formalized through a security model. Based on this formulation, we construct a reference framework that organizes existing methods and clarifies how specific design choices map to corresponding adversarial assumptions. Within this framework, we also examine a legacy spread-spectrum embedding scheme, characterizing its advantages and limitations and highlighting the important trade-offs it entails. Overall, this work aims to foster effective intellectual property protection for 3D assets.