METHOD FOR REDUCING UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SOFTWARE/DIGITAL CONTENT INCLUDING SELF-ACTIVATING/SELF-AUTHENTICATING SOFTWARE/DIGITAL CONTENT
First Claim
1. A method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use of the software, the method comprising:
- providing software including data representing digital content;
associating at least one identifier with the software prior to distribution of the software, the identifier being detectable by an authorized representative to request authentication of the software; and
distributing the software with the at least one identifier to a user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reducing unauthorized use of software includes designating software for protection via a corresponding identifier associated with the software. The identifier is detected by an authorized representative entity that may be resident on a user computer, network, or device, remotely located relative to the user, or both. The software is self-activating/self-authenticating when used in conjunction with a resident authorized representative. During the first use or transfer of the content designated for protection, the authorized representative generates a password or authentication code based on user system information and links the code to the content. Subsequent use or access to the content requires that the current system information at least partially match the system information of the authorized system encoded in the authorization code or codes associated with the content.
169 Citations
86 Claims
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1. A method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use of the software, the method comprising:
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providing software including data representing digital content;
associating at least one identifier with the software prior to distribution of the software, the identifier being detectable by an authorized representative to request authentication of the software; and
distributing the software with the at least one identifier to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use of the software, the method comprising:
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providing software including data representing digital content;
associating a plurality of identifiers with the software prior to distribution of the software, at least one identifier being detectable by an authorized representative to request authentication of the software; and
distributing the software with the plurality of identifiers to a user. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use having at least one authorized representative entity installed on or in a user device, the method comprising:
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associating at least one identifier with the software to designate the software for protection from unauthorized use;
detecting the at least one identifier using the authorized representative installed on or in the user device;
determining whether the user device is authorized to access the software using the authorized representative entity installed on or in the user device; and
controlling access to the software based on whether the user device is determined to be authorized. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use of the software, the method comprising:
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providing software including data representing digital content;
detecting an identifier associated with the software indicating that protection from unauthorized use is desired;
communicating with an authorized representative entity to determine whether a user device attempting to access the software is authorized to access the software; and
controlling access to the software based on whether the user device is authorized. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86)
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Specification