Method for preventing illegal use of software
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer storage medium encoded with a computer program for preventing illegal use of software, the program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus of a data storage device controller cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
- checking whether the software is properly installed and is not illegally modified on a data storage device;
if the software is not properly installed or is illegally modified on the data storage device then blocking a launch of the software;
if the software is properly installed and is not illegally modified on the data storage device thenchecking whether the software has to be paid for use;
if the software is free for use then allowing a user to use the software normally;
if the software has to be paid for use thenchecking whether a user has already performed a payment process;
if the user has not performed the payment process then blocking the launch of the software;
if the user has already made the payment thendetermining an available time period of software usage for each user of a current personal computer, wherein said determining the available time period of the software comprises
gathering information about a usage level of the software;
determining whether a current usage level of the software is higher than a predetermined usage level predetermined by a software developer or a vendor;
determining the available time period on the basis of a fee paid by the user and a first price, if the usage level is not higher than the predetermined usage level; and
determining the available time period on the basis of a fee paid by the user and a second price, if the usage level is higher than the predetermined usage level;
if the software has been used for a period of time that is less than the determined available time period then allowing the user to use the software normally;
if the software has been used for a period of time that is longer than the determined available time period then
prompting the user to perform the payment process once more; and
terminating an execution of the software, if the user does not perform the payment process once more in response of said prompting.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, techniques and systems for preventing illegal use of software and other digital files based on operations of a data storage device controller in a computer or computer system. For example, a method for preventing illegal use of software includes: configuring a computer to use a data storage device controller to control use of each digital file stored on one or more data storage devices; before a use of each digital file, operating the data storage device controller to access a storage device on which the digital file is stored to check whether the digital file meets a condition for use; and operating the data storage device controller to block use of the digital file when the condition is not met and to allow execution of the digital file when the condition is met. The digital file can be an application software or other digital documents.
23 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer storage medium encoded with a computer program for preventing illegal use of software, the program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus of a data storage device controller cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
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checking whether the software is properly installed and is not illegally modified on a data storage device; if the software is not properly installed or is illegally modified on the data storage device then blocking a launch of the software; if the software is properly installed and is not illegally modified on the data storage device then checking whether the software has to be paid for use; if the software is free for use then allowing a user to use the software normally; if the software has to be paid for use then checking whether a user has already performed a payment process; if the user has not performed the payment process then blocking the launch of the software; if the user has already made the payment then determining an available time period of software usage for each user of a current personal computer, wherein said determining the available time period of the software comprises
gathering information about a usage level of the software;
determining whether a current usage level of the software is higher than a predetermined usage level predetermined by a software developer or a vendor;
determining the available time period on the basis of a fee paid by the user and a first price, if the usage level is not higher than the predetermined usage level; and
determining the available time period on the basis of a fee paid by the user and a second price, if the usage level is higher than the predetermined usage level;if the software has been used for a period of time that is less than the determined available time period then allowing the user to use the software normally; if the software has been used for a period of time that is longer than the determined available time period then
prompting the user to perform the payment process once more; and
terminating an execution of the software, if the user does not perform the payment process once more in response of said prompting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification