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From: Lee_Michael_Kary@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.misc
Subject: Re: Copy protection and the consumer (dongles)
Message-ID: <2616@cup.portal.com>
Date: 21 Jan 88 05:23:21 GMT
References: <4663@watdragon.waterloo.edu> <22628@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <1852@optilink.UUCP>
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A few more comments on copy protection schemes, including 'dongles':

The fundamental problem (as I see it) with every copy protection scheme
I've seen (including non-computer implementations like Macrovision(tm))
is that they end up punishing the honest user while slowing down only
the most incopetent pirates.  The main problem with any of the ID systems
(a serial number in the computer/CPU or the 'dongles') is that a business
HAS to have a backup of anything important offsite.  If your office burns
down and your accounting system can't be run because the only computer
it will run on (or the only dongle) is gone, you could well end up out of
business.  It's not so bad if it's a main-line product (WordPerfect, etc.)
that you could buy another copy of, but if you are NOT a mainline business
and use an 'unusual' package (be it accounting, CAD, desktop-publishing, ...)
what are you supposed to do? Buying two copies of the product (one to use and
one to archive) again punishes the honest user - the pirate breaks the
copy protection and has a more functional (safer) product as well.

As I understand it, most of the 'dongle' based systems query for an ID
at various points in the program to keep you from swapping the dongle
between systems (5 for the price of one - easy with an RS-232 switchbox).
The problem - if the ID read fails 1 time in 1000, how long before you get
kicked out (or worse) even though you're legitimate? (Not nearly long enough).

Disclaimer:  I work for a software company (as a programmer).  We don't
copy protect (never had it - never will).  I know games *may* be an exception,
but copy protection doesn't seem to gain anything for anyone, except the
companies that sell copy protection schemes.