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Method and system for decentralized manufacture of copy-controlled software

  • US 5,291,598 A
  • Filed: 04/07/1992
  • Issued: 03/01/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system to create and control the use of an informational product stored on a storage medium, the informational product operatable in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, the mode of operation being stored in an ownership details record of the informational product, the system comprising:

  • a first processor ascertaining if the mode of operation of the informational product is the first mode or the second mode by accessing an ownership details record stored in the informational product each time the informational product is activated, the ownership details record initially set to the first mode, and when them ode of operation of the informational product is ascertained to be the first mode, generating a registration code for a user of the informational product, the registration code comprising a previous user part to identify a previous user of the informational product; and

    a second processor, accepting as input the registration code, allocating a unique user code to the user of the informational product, and generating a unique authorization code, the authorization code being a function of the registration code and the user code;

    wherein, the first processor, responsive to accepting as input the authorization code and thereafter determining the validity of the authorization code, and if the authorization code is valid, changing the mode of operation of the informational product from the first mode to the second mode.

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