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From: mclek@dcatla.UUCP (Larry E. Kollar)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Copy protection; How do I do it
Message-ID: <2232@dcatla.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Nov-87 10:32:17 EST
Article-I.D.: dcatla.2232
Posted: Mon Nov 23 10:32:17 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 26-Nov-87 01:10:33 EST
References: <1235@edison.GE.COM>
Reply-To: mclek@dcatla.UUCP (Larry E. Kollar)
Organization: DCA Inc., Alpharetta, GA
Lines: 47
Keywords: pirates, lost income, money
Summary: Don't bother

In article <1235@edison.GE.COM> mfs@edison.GE.COM (Martin Sant) writes:
>
[about releasing music SW & wondering about copy protection, choices]
>
>   1)  Release it unprotected and hope most people are honest.
>
>   2)  Release it unprotected and accept that software follows
>       the 'spurt' mode, i.e. high initial sales, slacking off
>       as the program (bootleg copies) become more available.
>
>   3)  Include some type of disk protection scheme that would
>       make it harder for folks to make copies.
>
>   4)  Fashion some type of hardware dongle and include it with the
>       program.
>
>   5)  The 'shame' route.  Customize each disk with the name of the
>       person who bought it (easy for me since I distribute my own
>       stuff).
>
I understand what you're going through.  Therefore, I will speak bluntly, but
this is not meant to be construed as a flame:

Sit back, scratch your head, & think for a few minutes.  How many "unprotect"
programs for the 64 are available right now?  The only thing copy-protection
is going to do is make it hard on your legitimate customers who have (in some
cases) the legal right to make a backup copy.  I heard an anecdote about the
prez of Electronic Arts; he released this new 64 game and claimed that it
would be at least three months before pirates could break the copy-protection
on it.  As he spoke, pirated copies were already circulating!

The least obnoxious protection scheme of the above is 5).  However, you'll
have to encrypt that portion of data at least, to prevent a simple search &
replace with a monitor.

There is another possibility:

    6)  Include every feature you can think of, and include a well-written
	manual with the program.  Even if the jerks & twits post copies of
	your program on every BBS in the world, the other J&Ts won't be able
	to use it to the fullest extent possible.  Some may buy a legit copy
	to get the manual.

Whatever you do, you'll have to accept the idiots who are ripping you off.
But it's not just CBM users, its all of 'em.

	Larry Kollar