Apparatus and method for serializing and validating copies of computer software
First Claim
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1. A method of disabling an unauthorized copy of a computer program comprising the steps of:
- defining a set of numbers which are generated according to a first mathematical function and which can be validated by a second mathematical function;
specifying a location of said computer program wherein one number of said set of numbers is written to said location in an authorized copy of said computer program;
reading a number from a copy of said computer program at said location;
determining whether said read number is valid according to said second mathematical function;
disabling said copy if said read number is not valid.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method of disabling an unauthorized copy of a computer program. A set of numbers having an uncommon mathematical property is defined. For authorized copies, one of these numbers is written to a pre-determined location in the computer program. Whenever a copy of the computer program is attempted to be run, the computer system is instructed by the computer program to check the number at that pre-determined location. A determination is then made as to whether that number has the uncommon mathematical property. The computer program is disabled if its number at that location does not have the uncommon mathematical property.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of disabling an unauthorized copy of a computer program comprising the steps of:
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defining a set of numbers which are generated according to a first mathematical function and which can be validated by a second mathematical function; specifying a location of said computer program wherein one number of said set of numbers is written to said location in an authorized copy of said computer program; reading a number from a copy of said computer program at said location; determining whether said read number is valid according to said second mathematical function; disabling said copy if said read number is not valid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for disabling an unauthorized copy of a computer program comprising:
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a means for generating a number according to a first mathematical algorithm; a means for writing said number to an authorized copy of said computer program at a specified location; a means for reading a number at said location from a copy of said computer program; a testing means for determining whether said read number from said copy is valid according to a second mathematical algorithm; a means for disabling said computer program if said read number does not have said uncommon mathematical property. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for disabling an unauthorized copy of a computer program comprising:
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a means for generating a number according to a first mathematical function; a means for embedding said number in a physical device; a means for disabling said computer program if, upon installation of said computer program onto a computer system, said physical device having said number is not coupled to said computer system. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification