Ultimate copy protection?

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Ultimate copy protection? 2004-06-12T15:18:54+00:00 Me and a friend did some brainstorming about copy protection on software and came up with this: You download the demo version. It is the full blown product, no bleeps ,restrictions what so ever. The only thing it got is a big "DEMO" sign in the user interface. When you buy the product you´ll get access to download the real version without the "DEMO" sign. That´s it! And here is how it works: ---------------------------------------------------- The bitmap part with the demo sign is encrypted in the dll file and placed in position using a small code routine. This would prevent the "normal" user to go into the file using any standard way to view the resources and modify where he would need a patch from a cracker to free up the space in the otherwise normal bitmap. -The cracker- The cracker would realize quite quickly that there isn´t any real challange to do this. Just find the code that will access this bitmap space,remove it and replace with the proper bitmap portion and re-save. His work will be a standard move where the developer do not do anything to hide the decrypter code ect. Sooner or later the crackers would loose interest. What happens then is that all the "wannabee" crackers will start producing patches to show that they were first. And in this battle they would sooner or later start to add their own "tag" into this bitmap to show "who made it". -The crack user- The crack user would go through all this trouble just to cover the fact that he didn´t pay for the software where the moral justification will get even more stupid. He can of course use it by himself but if he shows his stuff to anyone the "demo" sign will create questions. Friends with the same attitude will not bother but then again they were never the target buyer group in the first place. So he goes out on the net and tries to download a patch where he soon discovers that it is almost impossible to find a real patch that does not include a nasty tag or anything else. And here the developer adds his own spam attacks where he flood the internet with fake patches to his own product since this will not harm the product itself since it is fully functional from the start. -Conclution- The end result would be that it would be a mess to get a "clean looking" software where the only reason you do this is to show off to your paying friend that always could ask for a proof anyway. The developer can more activly prevent spreading of cracks by spamming since it will not harm the product. Crackers will loose interest and create an "anti movement" among themselves. In the end the customer knows that the only place to download the real version is from the true product page and all he needs is to pay. any thoughts? //Daniel :) ddummer https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3306

VariKusBrainZ VariKusBrainZ https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5022: KVRAF; 10133 posts since 16 Dec, 2002

Post by VariKusBrainZ » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:27 pm

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Plus theres the invisible recession. For example, I work for a book shop that is part of a chain. In the last 2 years weve had to close about 4 shops. The shop I work at used to receive over a ton of books per week, we now get about 200 kgs per week thanks to the drop in sales, so you cant just attribute low sales to piratism, theres also the economic climate to take into account.

I believe most people who are prospective users are unaware of where of how to to get cracks and of course alot dont even now about cracks.

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