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Path: utzoo!linus!security!jkm
From: jkm@security.UUCP (Jonathan K.Millen)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Re: copy protection
Message-ID: <1002@security.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Nov-85 08:12:27 EST
Article-I.D.: security.1002
Posted: Fri Nov 22 08:12:27 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Nov-85 09:51:33 EST
References: <1204@jhunix.UUCP> <763@bbnccv.UUCP> <11016@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Reply-To: jkm@security.UUCP (Jonathan K.Millen)
Distribution: net
Organization: MITRE Corp., Bedford, Ma.
Lines: 10
Keywords: serial number copy protection
Summary: 

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     An ideal form of copy protection is possible if each machine has a
serial number that is readable by software (e.g., stored in ROM).  When
a program is sold, it comes in a form that is uncopyable, but as soon as
it runs on a machine, two things happen: (1) it "freezes" on that machine,
that is, it will run only on the machine with that serial number; and (2)
it becomes copyable.
     If the customer gets a new machine, he should be able to send the
original disk back to the vendor (as proof of purchase) and get a new
unfrozen disk for a nominal charge.