JPH08129486A - Method for protecting software copyright - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To embody a method for protecting software copyright in which a copying is possible, but the limitation for the operation is given in the equipment except a designated device, and the release of the limitation of the operation is possible. CONSTITUTION: A protection key generation processing 1 generating the information on a protection key from the code specific to an equipment, a limitation key generation processing 3 generating the information on a limitation key from the code specific to the equipment and the check program composed of the collation proceedings of the key information are incorporated into the part of the processings of programs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Field of Industrial Application] Copyright protection of software used in computers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a method for preventing illegal operation of software, there is a method of making it impossible to copy the software. This is done by setting a copy prohibition flag in the information of the file management table, or by writing an abnormal sector so that an error may occur during execution of copying.

Another method is to use a code unique to the device as a key for copyright protection. In this method, the code unique to the device is written as a key information necessary for operating the software in a part of the software before the operation starts, and at the time of starting the operation thereafter, the code unique to the device and the software are written. The key information is compared, and if they match, the operation is started.

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art is based on whether or not the manufacturer purchases a legitimate medium having a label attached by the manufacturer for determining whether or not there is a right to use the copyright. Therefore, the copy from the legitimate medium does not represent the usage right.
Therefore, the user purchases a legitimate medium corresponding to the number of devices to be operated, and in the software to be installed and used in the hard disk or the like, the user purchases a medium unnecessary for operation.

[0005] Further, the sale of software for the purpose of profit through the use of communication is not currently performed because it does not have the advantage in consideration of the trouble of purchasing a legitimate medium.

[0006] Further, as a problem when purchasing software from the user's point of view, the type of software used by the user is
It is difficult to judge whether the product can be used normally, whether it is possible to carry out the intended work, and whether it has sufficient performance, based on the description on the product package and the description from the retailer. Can be raised.

In order to solve the above problems, copying is possible, but the operation is restricted except for the designated device.
Furthermore, a method of copyright protection that enables the removal of operational restrictions must be created by wishing to remove the restrictions.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, from the viewpoint of restricting the operation, a program (in the present specification, the content and procedure of the operation for performing the intended processing) "Program" as a whole
Express. Further, in software mainly composed of data, it indicates a control processing part such as data output and retrieval. ), The check program according to the method of the present invention is incorporated as a part of the processing of the program, and the processing is continued / interrupted / notified to the program according to the result of the determination.

The check program is a protection key generation process for generating the protection key information from the code unique to the device as the key information for the determination to limit the operation, and the copyright manager (software sales company, etc.). Is the original information for generating the release key information. Similarly, the limited key generation process that generates the limited key information from the code unique to the device, the protected key information and the key information attached to the program. It is configured by comparing the protection key that compares the protection key and the release key that compares the protection key information with the release key information entered by the user. It is characterized by notifying the user of the information and updating the key information attached to the program if the collation result obtained by collating the release key matches.

[0010]

The checking program according to the method of the present invention determines whether or not there is a valid usage right by collating the information of the protection key with the key information attached to the program, and if the collation does not match, the software operation is performed. And informs the user of the restricted key information and the method of obtaining a valid usage right.

Further, if the user performs the procedure related to the acquisition of the right of use to input the information of the release key, the information of the protection key and the information of the release key are collated, and the software is operated by the coincidence. Remove the restriction.

[0012] Further, when the software for which the operation restriction is released is operated in another device, a new operation restriction is set because the unique code of the device is different. Does not occur.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the check program according to the method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The protection key generation process 1 is to generate protection key information by encrypting a code unique to the device. The code unique to the device is information that can be read by software, having information that is different for each device by the ROM, the setting switch, or the like. As for the encryption method, there are random number tables, conversion formulas, etc., but the method that makes it difficult to analyze the conversion rules is used.

The protection key collation 2 collates the protection key information generated in the protection key generation processing 1 with the key information attached to the program. Note that the key information attached to the program is the data attached to the program for collating with the information of the protection key, and the content does not coincide with the information of the protection key by accident, or is written. Leave without. This data does not necessarily have to be recorded on the same medium as the program, and can be stored on other media or C-
It may be recorded in MOSRAM or the like as long as it can be associated with the program. In particular, when the software is provided on a non-writable medium such as a CD-ROM, it is necessary to consider preparing it in another medium or device.

In the verification 2 of the protection key, if the protection key information and the key information attached to the program match,
Since the operation restriction is released, the process is returned to the program. If they do not match, it means that the right to use has not been acquired, so the restricted key generation processing 3 is executed.

The restriction key generation processing 3 generates restriction key information obtained by encrypting a code unique to the device, as in the protection key generation processing 1. However, the one that obtains a different result from the protection key generation process 1 is used. It should be noted that the information of the restriction key is the original information when the copyright manager generates the cancellation key.

The restricted key notification process 4 notifies the user of the restricted key information and the method of contacting the copyright manager by using a screen or a printer as necessary.

When the user desires to release the operation restriction, the copyright manager is informed of the restriction key information. On the other hand, the copyright manager converts the information of the restricted key into the information of the release key by the key conversion processing described later, and informs the user.

The release key input process 5 is a process in which the user inputs the release key information received from the copyright manager.

The collation 6 of the release key is the protection key generation process 1
This is a process of collating the information of the protection key generated in step 3 with the information of the release key input by the user. If the collations match,
In order to remove the restriction on the operation, the key information attached to the program in the update 7 of the key data is rewritten with the protection key information or the release key information, and the process is returned to the program or interrupted if necessary. If they do not match, the restriction is not released, so the process is interrupted, or the program is notified that there is a mismatch, and the program is returned to branch the process.

By the above processing, if the user inputs the correct release key, the key information attached to the program has the same contents as the protection key, and the restrictions on the subsequent operations are released.

When the software incorporating the check program according to this method is copied and operated in another device, the unique code of the device is different, so that the protection key collation 2 results in a mismatch, and the limiting operation is executed.

That is, although the software can be copied,
It realizes the operation that it is necessary to contact the copyright manager to remove the operation restriction.

As described above, the check program incorporated as a part of the program limits the operation of the software when the user has not obtained the consent of the copyright manager and notifies the user. Since the user who wishes to release the restriction contacts the copyright manager, it becomes possible to request the user for compensation. Further, since the copyright manager can manage the user, even if there is no legitimate medium, there is no problem with the presence or absence of the legitimate usage right.

The reason why the code unique to the device is encrypted by the restriction key generation process 3 and the user is notified is that if the code unique to the device is notified to the user, different software can release the unlock key from the same code. This is to prevent the conversion rule from being generated, and the user may analyze the conversion rule in order to generate the release key independently. By this processing, the restriction key information and the release key information notified to the user are information encrypted by different conversion methods, and thus it is impossible to analyze the conversion rule.

Further, it is obvious that the program and the check program need to be subjected to processing such as compilation so that the contents cannot be easily determined.

For reference, an example of an encryption method for generating protection key information and restriction key information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is to read the code unique to the device, read the numerical value of the random number table specified by the numerical value of the least significant digit, and perform the logical operation of the same value (EQV) for the code unique to the device and the random number. It is for generating a code. Note that different results can be obtained by using different random number tables for the protection key and the restriction key.

Further, as a reference, an example of the key conversion process used by the copyright manager to generate the release key information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Read the numerical value of the random number table on the side of the restricted key specified by the numerical value of the least significant digit given by the input of the restricted key,
The numerical value of the limit key and the numerical value of the random number are logically operated to have the same value (EQV) to restore the code unique to the device. Furthermore, the value of the random number table on the protection key side specified by the numerical value of the least significant digit of the device-specific code is read, and the device-specific code and the numerical value of the random number are again subjected to the same value (EQV) logical operation. The information of the release key having the same content as the protection key is generated.

[0030]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION From the point that copying is possible, when installed in a hard disk, magneto-optical disk or the like for operation, copying is carried out sequentially with one set of media, or copying is carried out to all units using communication. Various methods are possible,
The operation can be performed with the restrictions removed from the time when the encryption code for cancellation is entered. This saves media costs and resources, as it eliminates the need to purchase and store original media, especially when the number is large.

In addition, from the point of operation limitation, the check program of the present invention is incorporated into the program with the demonstration function attached, and the entire software is distributed to users free of charge, and users who wish to operate after using the demonstration. A new sales form is possible in which the information of the release key is notified to the.

Also, regarding the sale of software for commercial purposes online, the software received from online is subject to operational restrictions until the release key information is notified from the copyright manager. By receiving the information of the release key from the administrator of, the operation can be performed immediately, and a sales form that makes the most of the online advantage can be configured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a check program according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example of an encryption method.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of key conversion processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Protection key generation processing 2 Protection key verification 3 Restriction key generation processing 4 Restriction key notification processing 5 Release key input processing 6 Release key verification 7 Key data update

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A protection key generation process for generating key information for restricting operation using a device-specific code in a computer, and a source for generating release key information using a device-specific code. Restriction key generation process that generates the information of the protection key, verification of the protection key that compares the protection key information with the key information attached to the program, and release key that compares the protection key information with the release key information entered by the user If the check result provided by the verification of the protection key does not match, the user is informed of the restricted key information if the verification result of the protection key does not match, and if the verification result of the cancellation key matches. A software copyright protection method characterized by updating the key information attached to the program.