JPH0449423A - Method for preventing software from being illegally copied - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent software from being illegally copied by collating the 2nd inherent code inherent in a ROM with the 1st inherent code updated and recorded in a specific area and inhibiting the start of the 2nd computer when the collated result indicates discrepancy, or allowing the start at the time of coincidence. CONSTITUTION:When the software is first used by the 1st computer, the 1st inherent code inherent in the 1st computer is updated to the initial code recorded in the specific area 1 and the updated code is recorded. When the software is successively used by the 2nd computer, the 2nd inherent code inherent in the 2nd computer is collated with the 1st inherent code updated and recorded in the specific area 1. When the collated result indicates discrepancy, the start of the 2nd computer is inhibited, and at the time of coincidence, the start is allowed. Since the start of a computer of a different kind is inhibited from copying the software, the same effect as the prevention of illegal copying can be expected.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

This invention provides a method for preventing unauthorized copying of software, that is, a method for preventing unauthorized copying of software, in which software recorded on a storage medium and supplied is
The present invention relates to a method for preventing unauthorized copying, in which startup of a computer different from the first computer used by the user is prohibited when the computer is used from the next time onwards.

[Conventional technology]

Storage media, such as floppies and magnetic tape. One of the conventional methods to prevent unauthorized copying of software recorded on magneto-optical disks, etc. is to format the storage medium itself in a special format.
There are two methods: one is to protect the data so that it can only be read by a special program, and the other is to protect it by adding hardware that is equivalent to a type of duplicate key.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In any of the conventional techniques as described above, a drawback is that it is impossible to make legitimate backup copies of authorized users. However, if backup copies can be made freely, there is a risk that they will be misused. The backup copy is necessary because without it, if the original floppy is damaged or destroyed due to an accident, the computer will no longer work. The object of this invention is to solve the problems more than those of the conventional technology, and to enable software that is recorded and supplied on a storage medium to
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing unauthorized copying of software, which prohibits the activation of software when it is used from the next time on a computer different from the first computer used by the user.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve this problem, the method for preventing unauthorized copying of software according to the present invention includes: A specific area in which an initial code is initially recorded is provided in the software recorded on a storage medium and supplied; is first used in a first computer, the first
A unique code, such as the entire contents of the ROM, a checksum of specific data in the ROM, or a cyclic code for a decimal number attached to a specific item in the ROM, is updated with the initial code recorded in the specific area. recorded; When the software is used on a second computer from the next time onward, the second unique code unique to the ROM of this second computer and the first unique code updated and recorded in the specific area are first recorded. If the result of this verification is a mismatch, the second computer is prohibited from starting up; if the result of the verification is a match, the second computer is allowed to start up.

[Operation 1] When the software is used for the first time on a first computer, the first unique code unique to the first computer is updated and recorded with the initial code recorded in the specific area. The above is the preparation process related to preventing unauthorized copying. The following is the main process related to preventing unauthorized copying. When the software is used on the second computer from next time onward, the second unique code unique to the second computer is first compared with the first unique code updated and recorded in the specific area. If the result of this verification is a mismatch, the second computer is prohibited from starting up, and if the result of the verification is a match, the second computer is allowed to start up. [Example] The operation of an application example of the method for preventing unauthorized copying of software according to the present invention will be described below, mainly referring to FIGS. 2 and 3.
The explanation will be given with supplementary reference to the figures. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the floppy area of the applied example, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of preliminary processing showing the operation of the applied example, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main processing. First, the process shown in FIG. 2 is performed as a preliminary process for preventing unauthorized copying. In the figure, in step S1, a floppy disk F is first set in a regular computer C1. Next, in step S2, the check sum C of the ROM of C1
Calculate 3I. Here, the checksum is also called a checksum, and is originally a code obtained by performing a predetermined operation on specific data in order to check for errors in computer processing or data transmission. The check sum C31 is obtained by performing this predetermined calculation on the ROM 01. This checksum is
This can be said to be a unique code related to the ROM of C1. In step S3, C3I is the initial code Go of the specific area of F.
and record the update. Here, the specific area of F will be explained with reference to FIG. In the figure, the floppy as a storage medium in this application example has three areas, namely, a specific area 1, a software body area 2, and a verification program area 3. In the specific area 1, an initial code Go is initially recorded. This initial code G. is there to know if this floppy has been used. In other words, if the code in specific area 1 is the initial code Go, it can be said that this floppy is unused. Further, in the software main area 2, software that is literally the main part is recorded. The verification program area 3 will be described later. This completes the preliminary processing. Next, this process related to preventing unauthorized copying will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, in step Sll, F is set in the computer C4. In step S12, C
A checksum C3i as a unique code of the ROM of i is calculated. In step S13, it is determined whether C3i = C31. If YES, the process proceeds to step S14; if NO, the process proceeds to step S13.
15 respectively. Note that the determination process in step S13 is performed by the verification program recorded in the verification program area 3 in FIG. In step S14, starting of Ci is allowed, and in step S15, starting of Ci is prohibited, and this process related to a series of prevention ends. By the way, in the application example described above, the checksum was used as the unique code of the ROM of the computer. In addition to the checksum, it is also possible to use the entire contents of the ROM or the cyclic code associated with the ROM. This cyclic code is
A code originally used for cyclic redundancy checking to check for errors in data transmission. In this case, a specific operation is performed on a decimal number attached to a specific item in the ROM, and the code is determined as a unique code for the ROM. Note that which of the above unique codes to use is selected based on the degree of necessity for preventing unauthorized copying and the difficulty level of the prevention process.

【Effect of the invention】

As explained above, in the present invention, when software is first used on a first computer, the first unique code unique to the first computer is updated and recorded with the initial code recorded in the specific area. the next time the software is used on a second computer;
First, a second unique code unique to this second computer,
It is compared with the first unique code updated and recorded in the specific area; if the result of this comparison is a mismatch, the second computer is prohibited from starting up, and if the result of the comparison is a match, the second computer is allowed to start up. . Therefore, the present invention has the following superior effects compared to the prior art. (1) A copy of software is allowed to run only when it is used on a computer of the same model as the computer on which it was originally used; in other words, it is prohibited from starting on a computer of a different model. Therefore, the same effect as preventing unauthorized copying can be expected. (2) A legitimate copy of the software for backup can be used on the same model of computer as the one used for the first time, which is convenient for the authorized user and provides a sense of security.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a floppy area in an application example of the method according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart relating to preliminary processing showing the operation of the application example, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart relating to the main processing. be. Code explanation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) Software recorded and supplied on a storage medium is initially provided with a specific area in which an initial code is recorded; when the software is first used on a first computer, A first memory unique to the ROM of this first computer.
The unique code is updated and recorded with the initial code recorded in the specific area; when the software is used on a second computer from next time onwards, the second unique code unique to the ROM of this second computer and , and the first unique code updated and recorded in the specific area; if the result of this verification does not match, the second computer is prohibited from starting up, and if the result of the verification matches, the second computer is prohibited from starting up. A method for preventing unauthorized copying of software, characterized in that: permissible;