Method for tracking sofware lineages
First Claim
1. In software subject to copying, redistributing or purchasing by end users, a method of tracking lineages of copying, reproduction and/or purchasing, said method comprising the creation of a plurality of mint copy software-instances, said mint copy software-instances containing a Stable Portion responsible for the necessarily stable functions of the software, and a Variable Portion which will be modified in copies derived from said mint copy a means of modifying said Variable Portion on occasions of interest such that the contents of the Variable Portion in derivative copies will contain idiosyncratic information from which the parentage of said derivative copies can be ascertained
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Accused Products
Abstract
Software lineages arise through purchase and reproduction. Lineages are tracked by storing lineage-relevant information in variable regions of software instances and/or in a central database according to methods disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In software subject to copying, redistributing or purchasing by end users, a method of tracking lineages of copying, reproduction and/or purchasing, said method comprising
the creation of a plurality of mint copy software-instances, said mint copy software-instances containing a Stable Portion responsible for the necessarily stable functions of the software, and a Variable Portion which will be modified in copies derived from said mint copy a means of modifying said Variable Portion on occasions of interest such that the contents of the Variable Portion in derivative copies will contain idiosyncratic information from which the parentage of said derivative copies can be ascertained
Specification