Anti-pirating system
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a) a first removable medium having stored thereon a primary software program; and
, b) a computer having means for, 1) downloading said primary software program from said first removable medium to a memory within said computer, and, 2) operating said primary software program; and
, wherein during operation of said primary software program by said computer, operation of said primary software program terminates if said computer is unable to read a first identifier, said first identifier being separate from said primary software program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A software distribution system which uses a removable medium for distribution of software programs. In the preferred embodiment, a primary software program and a secondary software program are used. The secondary software program is used to establish an identifier and then to erase the secondary software program from all files. This identifier is used by the primary software program to assure it is running on the proper computer; if the identifier is not there, then the software program terminates. In alternative embodiments, the identifier is established using a downloaded secondary software program or by a download of the identifier from the manufacturer of the primary software program. In some embodiments, the identifier is stored on a removable medium, thereby forming a “key” which used when the primary software is to be operated.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a) a first removable medium having stored thereon a primary software program; and
,b) a computer having means for, 1) downloading said primary software program from said first removable medium to a memory within said computer, and, 2) operating said primary software program; and
,wherein during operation of said primary software program by said computer, operation of said primary software program terminates if said computer is unable to read a first identifier, said first identifier being separate from said primary software program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. A software verification system comprising a primary software program which, during operation, terminates if a computer upon which the primary software program is operating is unable to read a first identifier.
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21. A software distribution system comprising:
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a) a first removable medium having stored thereon a primary software program and a secondary software program; and
,b) a computer having means for, 1) downloading said primary software program and said secondary software program from said first removable medium to a memory within said computer, 2) operating said secondary software program to, A) establish a first identifier, and, B) erase said secondary software program from said first removable medium and the memory of said computer; and
,wherein during operation of said primary software program by said computer, operation of said primary software program terminates if said computer is unable to read the first identifier. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification