Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!convex!swarren
From: swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Copy Protection
Message-ID: <102599@convex.convex.com>
Date: 29 May 90 19:05:11 GMT
References: <20148@snow-white.udel.EDU> <1857@corpane.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation; Richardson, TX
Lines: 33

In article <1857@corpane.UUCP> sparks@corpane.UUCP (John Sparks) writes:
>Heck, even if it doesn't provide private information, the original owner is 
>at risk if he ever sells the software!
>
>Let's say you sell your software package that has a serial number tracable 
>back to you. What if the person who buys it starts passing it around?
>He figures since it's your number, nobody will trace it to him. Or if
>he sells it and somone further on down the line starts passing it out.

This copy protection technique would need to maintain a unique number
for an individual that is not transferable.  This should be made clear
in the license that is provided with the encrypted code number.

The code number would be used only on a special backup disk which the
licensee would copy the original onto.  The original disk would remain
protected and unmolested.  The license should clearly state that it is
provided only for the individual who contracted for it, and is not
transferable to any third party.  If the original software is ever sold
the licensee agrees to sell only the protected original software and to
destroy all unprotected copies.  The licensee agrees to assume responsi-
bility for the disposition of all copies of the software containing the
unique personal encoded key.

This is used on large systems.  We have an encoded key on one of our
applications that expires whenever the lease payment comes due (don't
ask me why they are so paranoid.  Maybe they have been burned by someone
else?).

--
            _.
--Steve   ._||__      DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own.
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