Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac.programmer:21054 comp.protocols.appletalk:5160
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!bu.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!das
From: das@Apple.COM (David Shayer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer,comp.protocols.appletalk
Subject: Re: Idea for painless copy protection
Message-ID: <48543@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 28 Jan 91 00:37:44 GMT
References: <1991Jan27.144523.20674@phri.nyu.edu> <1991Jan27.214310.3870@agate.berkeley.edu> <27A3555F.13566@orion.oac.uci.edu>
Organization: The Troll Den
Lines: 18

I have used several programs that use this form of copy protection.
They are not usually a problem, unless someone on the network has
a pirated copy of your software/serial number.  In a big network
at a corporation or university, this happens often.  My biggest
complaint is that there is no way to track down who is using the
same serial number.  You should absolutely positively tell the user
the zone and machine name of the user who has the same serial number.

Also, as previous posters have pointed out, this is not a good solution
for site licenses.  They should be able to set up a server on the net,
which knows how many copies they are licensed to run.  When a new copy
is launched it checks with the server to see if it is over the licensed
number of copies, and either lets it go or refuses to launch.


Of course, these are just me opinions.

David