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From: keeshu@nikhefk.UUCP (Kees Huyser)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Copy "Protection"
Message-ID: <184@nikhefk.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Aug-87 06:11:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: nikhefk.184
Posted: Thu Aug  6 06:11:21 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 8-Aug-87 09:34:15 EDT
References: <6965@ism780c.UUCP> <1193@killer.UUCP> <776@cod.UUCP> <470@bms-at.UUCP>
Reply-To: keeshu@nikhefk.UUCP (Kees Huyser)
Organization: National Institute for Nuclear Physics; Netherlands
Lines: 38
Keywords: Serial Numbers

In article <470@bms-at.UUCP> stuart@bms-at.UUCP (Stuart D. Gathman) writes:
>
>The best method of protection for publishers I have seen is the serial number.
>Every copy has a unique serial number.  This in no way prevents a user from
>making as many copies as he wishes and using them as he wishes.  It does,
>however, let the publisher demonstrate wrongdoing when a serious offense
>occurs.  (What?  500 copies with the same serial number?!)
>
>Encryption is usually used to make changing the number difficult.  But even
>if the number is changed, it is difficult to pick one that does not belong
>to someone else, or has not yet been issued!
>
>Stuart D. Gathman	<stuart@bms-at.uucp>
>			<..!{vrdxhq|dgis}!bms-at!stuart>

Let me see what could happen :

	1) I get a copy from a friend, change the serial number
	   to another serial number.

	2) You just bought and registered the same product and
	   you happen to get the serial number I just invented.

	3) WeAlwaysProtect Inc. finds out there are 20,000 copies
	   floating around with YOUR serial number and sues YOU.

	4) What ME worry???

-- Kees

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