GB2145856A - Copyright protection device - Google Patents

Copyright protection device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2145856A
GB2145856A GB8422053A GB8422053A GB2145856A GB 2145856 A GB2145856 A GB 2145856A GB 8422053 A GB8422053 A GB 8422053A GB 8422053 A GB8422053 A GB 8422053A GB 2145856 A GB2145856 A GB 2145856A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
computer
data
security device
security
program
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8422053A
Other versions
GB8422053D0 (en
Inventor
Jon Malone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
University of Strathclyde
Original Assignee
University of Strathclyde
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University of Strathclyde filed Critical University of Strathclyde
Publication of GB8422053D0 publication Critical patent/GB8422053D0/en
Publication of GB2145856A publication Critical patent/GB2145856A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
    • G06F21/12—Protecting executable software
    • G06F21/121—Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
    • G06F21/123—Restricting unauthorised execution of programs by using dedicated hardware, e.g. dongles, smart cards, cryptographic processors, global positioning systems [GPS] devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2221/00—Indexing scheme relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/21—Indexing scheme relating to G06F21/00 and subgroups addressing additional information or applications relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/2139—Recurrent verification

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Technology Law (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A computer program is protected by an anti-theft arrangement by providing the program with security data which is distributed within the program data. A pre-programmed security device which is interactive with the computer program via the computer receives security data in the form of interrogation data and computer disablement data and is operable in response to the interrogation data to inhibit operation of the computer disablement data.

Description

SPECIFICATION Copyright protection device This invention relates to apparatus incorporating a computer program recorded on machine-readable media and protected by an anti-theft arrangement.
It is well known that machine-readable media on which computer programs are recorded suffer from the disadvantage of being easily copied without authority so that the original program can give rise to many unauthorised copies each of which is effective with equal facility to operate a standard computer. To combat this problem various anti-theft arrangements have already been proposed but these have only had limited success partly because of the cost involved and partly because special adaptation of the computer is required .
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved form of apparatus incorporating a computer program recorded on machine-readable media and protected by an anti-theft arrangement.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus incorporating a computer program recorded on machine-readable media and protected by an anti-theft arrangement, wherein the recorded computer program comprises program data for operating a computer and security data distributed within the program data, and the apparatus further comprises a pre-programmed security device compatible with the computer program and interactive via the computer with the computer program, said security data including securitydevice interrogation data and computer-disablement data, and said security device being operable to receive said security-device interrogation data and in response thereto to inhibit operation of said computer-disablement data.
It will be appreciated that the present inven- tion provides for anti-theft in that any attempt to run a computer using a copied computer program will result in the computer-disablement data disabling the computer in the absence of a security device or a security device which is pre-programmed so as to be compatible with the computer program. Preferably, the pre-programming of the security device is by way of hard wiring, the security device being connectable to the computer by an existing computer port. The security device may for example be in the form of a comparator or a shift register. The security device may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) which is pre-programmed by software.
Preferably the machine-readable media on which the computer program is recorded is magnetic tape contained in a standard audiotape cassette.
By way of example of one embodiment the security data recorded on the machine-readable media includes security device interrogation data comprising messages sent at intervals via the computer to the security device.
At other intervals the interrogation data will send enquiries to the security device to identify whether or not the messages have been handled by the security device in the anticipated manner. The response from the security device may for example be used as part of the flow-of-control for the program data so that unless the response is as anticipated the incomplete flow-of-control functions to disable the computer.
The security device may conveniently be a serial shift register (e.g. a 7491 device) which is pre-programmed by means of selecting the time-delay between input and output data trains and by selecting the terminals of the computer port to which the security device is connected. Alternatively the security device may be a comparator (e.g. a 7485 device) pre-programmed to receive and store a first data set for comparison with a second data set and pre-programmed to output data dependent upon the comparison result. Additional pre-programming is effected by selecting the terminals of the computer port as previously described.
The apparatus according to the present invention may be packaged as a cassette containing the machine-readable media (magnetic tape or floppy disc) to which the security device is attached either releasably or nonreleasably it being understood that in normal computer operation the recorded data is first read into computer store, so that the cassette can be removed from the computer readin unit to facilitate connection of the security device to a port of the computer for its intended interactive use with the recorded (and stored) computer program.
The apparatus according to the present invention can be manufactured at very low cost because relatively simple security devices can be used, is applicable to existing computers without modification thereof and permits authorised back-up copies of the computer program to be made without difficulty. Furthermore, a surprisingly high level of security is easily achieved because implementation detail of the security device can be altered frequently by the manufacturer if so desired even within the production life of a single computer program.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus comprising a computer program recorded on machine-readable media and protected by an anti-theft arrangement, wherein the recorded computer program comprises program data for operating a computer and security data distributed within the program data, and the apparatus further comprises a pre-programmed security device com patible with the computer program and interactive via the computer with the computer program, said security data including securitydevice interrogation data and computer-disablement data, and said security device being operable to receive said security-device interrogation data and in response thereto to inhibit operation of said computer-disablement data.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-programming of the security device is by way of hard wiring, the security device being connectable to the computer by an existing computer port.
3. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the security device is in the form of a comparator or a shift register or a pre-programmed ROM.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the machine-readable media is a magnetic tape or disc.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as hereinbefore described by way of example.
GB8422053A 1983-08-31 1984-08-31 Copyright protection device Withdrawn GB2145856A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8323283A GB8323283D0 (en) 1983-08-31 1983-08-31 Copyright protection device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8422053D0 GB8422053D0 (en) 1984-10-24
GB2145856A true GB2145856A (en) 1985-04-03

Family

ID=10548073

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8323283A Pending GB8323283D0 (en) 1983-08-31 1983-08-31 Copyright protection device
GB8422053A Withdrawn GB2145856A (en) 1983-08-31 1984-08-31 Copyright protection device

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8323283A Pending GB8323283D0 (en) 1983-08-31 1983-08-31 Copyright protection device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8323283D0 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0183608A2 (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-06-04 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Software security system
GB2175422A (en) * 1985-05-14 1986-11-26 Cadam Services Co Program protection
DE3518319A1 (en) * 1985-05-22 1986-11-27 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Method and arrangement for protecting programs stored in a data processing system against unauthorized copying
DE3544237A1 (en) * 1985-12-14 1987-06-25 Dt Diesel Technic Gmbh Device for securing an electronic data processing system against unauthorised access to its data
FR2596545A1 (en) * 1986-03-25 1987-10-02 Hachette Classiques Program control connector intended for home computers or for a network of interconnected computers
US4751667A (en) * 1985-05-11 1988-06-14 National Research Development Corporation Method and apparatus for verifying the identity of dynamic memory
EP0554548A2 (en) * 1992-02-04 1993-08-11 International Business Machines Corporation A data processing system and method to produce soft-copy book readers which are limited to reading only books published by a specific publisher
US6209096B1 (en) 1996-07-02 2001-03-27 Yamaha Corporation Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0067875A1 (en) * 1980-12-29 1982-12-29 Fanuc Ltd. System for executing a program
GB2112971A (en) * 1981-12-15 1983-07-27 Little Genius Limited Data protection system
EP0084441A2 (en) * 1982-01-19 1983-07-27 Tabs Limited Method and apparatus for the protection of proprietary computer software
GB2121569A (en) * 1982-05-12 1983-12-21 Bally Mfg Corp System guaranteeing integrity of a gambling system
GB2123597A (en) * 1982-06-07 1984-02-01 Fortune Systems Corp Computer program protection

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0067875A1 (en) * 1980-12-29 1982-12-29 Fanuc Ltd. System for executing a program
GB2112971A (en) * 1981-12-15 1983-07-27 Little Genius Limited Data protection system
EP0084441A2 (en) * 1982-01-19 1983-07-27 Tabs Limited Method and apparatus for the protection of proprietary computer software
GB2121569A (en) * 1982-05-12 1983-12-21 Bally Mfg Corp System guaranteeing integrity of a gambling system
GB2123597A (en) * 1982-06-07 1984-02-01 Fortune Systems Corp Computer program protection

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0183608A3 (en) * 1984-11-19 1987-04-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Software security system
EP0183608A2 (en) * 1984-11-19 1986-06-04 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Software security system
US4751667A (en) * 1985-05-11 1988-06-14 National Research Development Corporation Method and apparatus for verifying the identity of dynamic memory
GB2175422A (en) * 1985-05-14 1986-11-26 Cadam Services Co Program protection
DE3518319A1 (en) * 1985-05-22 1986-11-27 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Method and arrangement for protecting programs stored in a data processing system against unauthorized copying
DE3544237A1 (en) * 1985-12-14 1987-06-25 Dt Diesel Technic Gmbh Device for securing an electronic data processing system against unauthorised access to its data
FR2596545A1 (en) * 1986-03-25 1987-10-02 Hachette Classiques Program control connector intended for home computers or for a network of interconnected computers
EP0554548A2 (en) * 1992-02-04 1993-08-11 International Business Machines Corporation A data processing system and method to produce soft-copy book readers which are limited to reading only books published by a specific publisher
EP0554548A3 (en) * 1992-02-04 1993-11-03 Ibm A data processing system and method to produce soft-copy book readers which are limited to reading only books published by a specific publisher
US6209096B1 (en) 1996-07-02 2001-03-27 Yamaha Corporation Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein
GB2314949B (en) * 1996-07-02 2001-04-25 Yamaha Corp Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein
US7361824B2 (en) 1996-07-02 2008-04-22 Yamaha Corporation Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein
US7388144B2 (en) 1996-07-02 2008-06-17 Yamaha Corporation Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein
US7485795B2 (en) 1996-07-02 2009-02-03 Yamaha Corporation Method and device for storing main information with associated additional information incorporated therein

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8323283D0 (en) 1983-10-05
GB8422053D0 (en) 1984-10-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4688169A (en) Computer software security system
US4462078A (en) Computer program protection method
US4584641A (en) Copyprotecting system for software protection
US4454594A (en) Method and apparatus to secure proprietary operation of computer equipment
US4748561A (en) Method of protecting computer software
US4937861A (en) Computer software encryption apparatus
US5490216A (en) System for software registration
US5432939A (en) Trusted personal computer system with management control over initial program loading
EP0807931B1 (en) Copy preventing system for multi-media equipment
EP0084441A2 (en) Method and apparatus for the protection of proprietary computer software
WO1995014265A1 (en) Security system for hard disk drive
TR199701540T1 (en) Method and device for copying protection of recording media.
KR960025662A (en) Recording medium, recording and reproducing apparatus and recording and reproducing method
DK0885443T3 (en) Copy and playback protection for digital programs
WO2002082429A3 (en) Systems and methods for optical media modification
GB2145856A (en) Copyright protection device
US20030041243A1 (en) Security system against illegal use and copy of eletronic data
WO2003017202A3 (en) Systems and methods for media authentication
WO1995014338A1 (en) System for reading encrypted information and unit for use in such a system
WO2002095748A2 (en) Record carrier with hidden channel
WO1990013864A1 (en) Improved security for machine-writeable data storage systems
EP0129427A2 (en) Diskette protection
EP0080244B1 (en) Method of identifying a system - allied, physically separableprogramme memory, and a data processing system using this method.
GB2231418A (en) Computer viruses
JP2011076622A (en) Method for screening copy-protected material

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)