Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!sun-barr!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tekig5!brianr
From: brianr@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM (Brian Rhodefer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Software Sales Strategies vs. Piracy
Message-ID: <4704@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM>
Date: 21 Aug 89 18:02:48 GMT
References: <208@crash.cts.com> <21585@cos.com> <345@xrtll.UUCP>
Reply-To: brianr@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM (Brian Rhodefer)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.
Lines: 33

In article <345@xrtll.UUCP> mark@xrtll.UUCP (Mark Vange) writes:

>
>If someone is going to pirate the stuff, they will simply buy it from a
>store and NOT send in the registration card!
>

Would it be possible to prevent this behavior by requiring the purchaser
to register in order to receive instructions for patching his program to
"enable" it?  These patches would be unique, and different for each copy
of the program.

If purchased from a dealer, the "patching" could be done at the time
of sale.  The dealer could pop the distribution disk in his demo machine,
equipped with a modem.  A short program included on the distribution disk
contacts SlickSoftware corporate headquarters, and receives and installs
the one-time-only patch for that particular copy of the software.  Corporate
HQ's computer then duly notes that that particular serial numbered copy of
the program has been delivered to its legal owner.  Perhaps it even solicits
the name/address/phone number of that new legal owner right then&there.

The purchaser tests the "enabled" software for proper functionality,
and, if satisfied, takes it home.  The dealer has the purchaser's ID
on file, (as well as, possibly, his signature on a liscencing agreement)
gainst the possibility that pirated copies of that serial number attract the
attention of the publisher.


This has probably been thought of before, and discarded, but I don't
remember seeing it discussed.


Brian Rhodefer