Secure electronic software packaging using setup-external unlocking module

• US 6,243,692 B1
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SafeNet Data Security (Israel) Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Preview Software, Inc.
• Inventors: Floyd, Michel, Horstmann, Cay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSEN, NICHOLAS D
• Application Number:
  US09/082,964
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/51, 705/57, 705/58, 705/59
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

The present invention, generally speaking, provides for secure electronic software packaging using a setup-external unlocking module. As a result, a software publisher can produce a single ESD-ready version of a software title that may later be prepared for distribution through multiple different ESD channels by adding channel-specific unlocking modules. Duplication of the injection process prior to the packing of the setup file set is eliminated and great flexibility is achieved. Preferably, the single ESD-ready version allows for trial of the software, e.g., a free 30-day trial. Software publishers are incentivized to produce trial versions of their software for marketing purposes. Once such a trial version of a software title has been produced, no further modifications are required on the part of the software publisher in order to distribute the software through various different channels. In one embodiment, the software publisher produces a trial version of a software title using a technology provider tool to inject the program executable with “guard code” referred to herein as a protection module. The protection module allows the program to be run only in accordance with trial parameters specified by the software publisher. The protection module will typically lack commerce capabilities required in order to purchase the software, i.e., obtain unlimited usage of the software or at least usage beyond the original trial period. After the software has been injected with the protection module, a conventional installation tool is used to produce a setup file set. At this point, the BOB can be downloaded and tried but cannot be purchased. That is, unlike competing technologies, the BOBs at his point are fully functional trial versions that can be tested and tried without adding purchase capabilities.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a software program to be distributed electronically comprising the steps of:

adding to the software program a protection module;

installing the software program on an end-user machine;

when startup of the software program is attempted, invoking the protection module;

adding to the software program an unlocking module, the unlocking module being added separately from the protection module; and

the protection module checking whether or not an unlocking module is present.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing permission parameters on a persistent storage medium that is accessible by the protection module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein if the unlocking module is not present, the protection module checks the permission parameters and allows or disallows use of the software program based on the permission parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection module is added using a first software tool and the unlocking module is added using a second separate software tool.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein if the unlocking module is present, the protection module authenticates and invokes the unlocking module.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the unlocking module causes display of a user interface control for initiating a transaction for granting usage rights to the software program.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the unlocking module locates and verifies an electronic license.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the unlocking module communicates with a server that stores electronic licenses and dispenses authorization to execute software programs.

9. A flexible method of altering the behavior of a software program, comprising the steps of:

adding a default module to the software program without altering source code of the software program;

adding an added module to the software program without altering source code of the software program; and

providing within the default module a mechanism whereby the default module check for and calls, the added module, a combined effect of the default module and the added module being to alter the behavior of the software program.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the default module controls execution of the software program.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the added module controls execution of the software program.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the added module assists the default module in controlling execution of the software program.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the added module is added to a self-installing setup file set.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the added module is added to an application binary that is not self-installing but that relies on a separate installer.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the default module is a protection module.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the added module includes electronic commerce capabilities.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the added module includes license management capabilities.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the added module also includes trial monitoring capabilities.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the default module is a Buy/Try module.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the added module includes trial monitoring capabilities.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising adding a further added module to the software program, wherein the default module compares version information of multiple added modules to determine an added module to be called.

22. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions including:

a software program and a code module foreign to but attached to the software program, the code module including program instructions that check for and, if present, call an added module distributed together with the foreign module;

wherein the combined effect of the code module and the added module, if present, is to alter the behavior of the software program.