KR20060015675A - Method of preventing an illegal copy of contents - Google Patents

Abstract

Recording media such as CDs, in which files of contents are stored, such as music files, are distributed and used to an unspecified number. When distributing such a CD, the producer side encrypts each file and records them on the CD. Users who legally purchased the distributed CD register the user through the Internet to play the CD, and at the same time, transmit the unique information of the system that will use the CD to the management server side. Pass the encryption key used for the user to the user side. When the CD is played, the encrypted file is decrypted and reproduced using the encryption key only when the CD information is matched after comparison with the user's unique key.

Piracy, Unique Key, System Information, User Key

Description

Content piracy prevention method {METHOD OF PREVENTING AN ILLEGAL COPY OF CONTENTS}

1 is a view schematically showing a relationship between components to which the method for preventing illegal copying of a content storage medium according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a producer and a data server in the configuration of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a user and a management server in the configuration of FIG. 1.

※ Explanation of codes for main parts of drawing

10 ... Creator 20 ... Management Server

30 ... Users 40 ... Data Servers

100 ... Content data 110 ... Encrypted file

210 ... Key Management ... 220 ... License Issuance

230 ... Log section 310 ... Key register

320 ... Browser 410 ... Access Control

420 ... unique key storage 430 ... content encryption key storage

The present invention relates to a method of preventing illegal copying of a storage medium storing content, and more particularly, to a system for reproducing content that is encrypted and distributed to general users in order to prevent duplication of a stored storage medium. The present invention relates to a method for preventing illegal duplication by allowing the system to be reproduced only for the system identified by the user key according to the characteristics of.

Recently, with the development of the Internet, various contents and services have been provided. At this time, the service is not provided directly on-line on the Internet, but also separately provided off-line according to a user's request. Optical discs such as CDs are mainly used by companies that provide contents to users to store and provide the contents. In recent years, illegal copying of such CDs has been increasingly used by users with CD-WRITER. As a result, the piracy problem caused by the ease of duplication has reached a very serious level.

Such illegally copied CDs cause enormous damage to content producers and providers, and in particular, software is causing enormous damages to users who use software using illegally copied CDs.

Therefore, various technologies have been developed or are under development to prevent illegal copying of CDs. Representatively, first, an example of installing an apparatus for preventing illegal copying on the exterior (surface) of a CD medium will be described. Basically, the use of the text etched together with the use of holograms can be displayed by etching certain texts with letters of distinct color in addition to the hologram image. In addition, there is a method using a three-dimensional logo, such as a high-resolution logo to move the color changes when the CD is tilted. There are ways to make the background holograms very elaborate so that sophisticated holographic images change color when the CD is tilted.

Next, in a practically technical way, the representative technology uses the technology that prevents CD copying originally developed by Midvatech of Israel, and the program that prevents the use of copy files developed by Macrovision of the United States. will be. Copy Control CDs based on Cactus Data Shield (CDS) technology developed by Midvatech, Israel, are not copied to CD-ROM or hard disk drive (HDD), and cannot be encoded to create MP3 files.

In particular, copy control CDs generally do not play on MP3 CDPs equipped with CD ROM drive units for computers, and even personal computers cannot listen to music unless they have playback software provided separately. Macrovision's technology is primarily used to prevent copying of DVD titles. When you try to record a title using Macrovision technology on a regular VCR, the screen flickers in black and white, and the screen becomes blurry, preventing copying.

However, despite these measures, hacking methods for CD copy protection technology have emerged one after another. In general, the reproduction of music contents is done by extracting MP3s or copying CDs through CD ROM drive for PC. Most discs with copy protection technology insert certain tracks that are not recognizable to prevent them from playing on CD-ROM drives for PCs. However, Sony Music's copy protection technology of Key 2 Audio is known to be easily recognized by CD ROM drives for PCs if users paint magically on the tracks that can be recognized by the eye.

Also, experts say that Midvatech's copy protection technology introduced by AVAX can be reproduced without any problems in about 6 to 7 of 10 PC CD-ROM drives depending on the manufacturer and the pickup method.

Analog-to-digital connections between encoding-recordable MP3 players and music-only CD players, which are being introduced to the market in recent years, make it easy to create MP3 files.

In addition, according to the patent application 2001-23533 filed by the present applicant to encrypt the content when recording the content on the CD, etc., at this time using the unique key generated from the system unique information of the user who wants to receive the content recorded on the CD By encrypting and supplying the CD, the CD user can only use the unique key generated from his system when playing or using the CD, thereby preventing leakage or copying of information stored in the CD, which is a recording medium.

However, this method of copy and distribution prevention means that when a user requests a supplier for the content he / she requests, the provider encrypts the content with the user's system information and records it on a CD. As such, it is difficult to apply to a general-purpose CD, which is produced and distributed in general, in which general music files and the like are stored and distributed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the problems of the conventional CD production method and distribution method as described above to prevent illegal copying of generally widely used contents such as MP3 files stored on CDs. Is to provide a way.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing illegal distribution of a storage medium such as a CD by preventing illegal copying of contents stored in a storage medium such as a CD.

As described above, the present invention provides an effective method for preventing the illegal distribution of optical recording media such as CD, DVD, etc., which are recording media on which contents are stored and distributed.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for preventing illegal copying of a content by interlocking a management server and a user system according to the present invention includes: obtaining, by a user system, content encrypted using a content encryption key; Connecting the user system to a management server to obtain a license for playing the encrypted content; Requesting a license for playing the content from the management server; Confirming, by the management server, the user system; If the user system is identified, the management server encrypting the content encryption key using a unique key; The management server transmitting a license including the encrypted content encryption key to the user system; The user system receiving the license from the management server and extracting the encrypted content encryption key from the license; The user system decrypts the encrypted content encryption key using a unique key of a corresponding user system; Decrypting the encrypted content using the decrypted content encryption key; And playing the decoded content.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a method for preventing duplication of an optical recording medium on which contents are recorded according to the present invention includes an encryption operation using a predetermined encryption key for the contents recorded on the optical recording medium. The user side purchasing the optical recording medium having the encrypted contents recorded thereon performs a user unique key specifying the user's system from a management server connected through an Internet network to reproduce the optical recording medium and the encryption key. Receives information, compares the received user's unique key and the system information of the user and decrypts and reproduces the encrypted contents using the encryption key when the information is identical, and the encryption key is the user's password. It is provided encrypted by Yuki, and the encrypted content is unique to the user. And decrypted by an encryption key decrypted by the key.

Hereinafter, an illegal copy protection method of a storage medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing a relationship between components to which the method for preventing illegal copying of a content storage medium according to the present invention is applied. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an optical recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as 'CD'), for example, a CD, a DVD, or the like, in which contents created by the producer 10 are stored, is produced, such as an order or purchase online or offline. It is delivered to the user 30 through the method. In this case, the content stored in the CD will be described using an MP3 file, which is a music file stored in a general audio CD.

When the CD is delivered to the user 30, the user plays the MP3 file using a CD driver installed in a personal computer capable of playing the MP3 file. However, the MP3 file is not automatically played by the CD driver. Instead, the MP3 file is recorded as an encrypted MP3 file by performing an encryption operation using a predetermined key when storing on the CD in order to prevent illegal copying. It cannot be played back.

Therefore, the user 30 undergoes a user registration process for confirming authenticity to the management server 20 through the Internet for playing the purchased CD, and then, for example, uses a specific CD key described for each CD. By registering with the management server 20 it can be confirmed that the CD was purchased through a legitimate process. When the user proves that the user has a legitimate right by the registration operation, the management server 20 transmits the decryption key necessary for decrypting the MP3 file stored in the CD to the user 30, and the user 30 ) Can download the MP3 file after downloading it.

The above process is similar to the conventional copy protection using a CD key, and only in that it receives a decryption key that can decrypt an encrypted content (MP3 file) from the management server 20 by registering the CD key through the Internet. There is only a difference. Therefore, in this case, even if the computer of the user 30 side is changed and receives the key for decrypting the contents of the CD by performing the same operation on another computer, there is no way to prevent this.

Therefore, in the present invention, the management server 20 does not simply provide the decryption key for playing the MP3 file stored on the CD from the management server 20 to the user 30. By granting a license that includes a decryption key that takes into account the characteristics and managing this information, the license is not available if the registered user is using it on another computer system or if the other user is licensed through the same registration process. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of preventing the MP3 file from being played because information between the information and the information in the computer system is different from each other.

That is, when the user 30 registers the user with the management server 20 after purchasing the CD, the system information of the user 30 is extracted and transmitted to the management server 20, and the management server 20 registers the registration process. After passing through the data server 40, the data server 40 stores the data in the data server 40 in a predetermined form. In addition, the data server 40 also stores and manages the encryption key used to record each MP3 file when the CD is produced on the producer 10 side. That is, the data server 40 manages and stores information on how the producer 10 encrypts the MP3 file.

In playing the CD purchased by the user 30 as described above, the management of the encryption key (decryption key) for the reproduction of the encrypted MP3 of the corresponding CD through the management server 20 on the separate Internet data server ( 40), and the user 30 can play only on a system having matching information by checking by a user unique key including user information registered from the management server 20. Replication can be prevented and this process will be divided in stages, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 to be described in more detail.

First, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a producer and a data server in a configuration for preventing illegal copying of a content storage medium according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the user 10 prepares the content data 100 to be distributed. These data consist of at least one file (File # 1 102 to File #N 104, MP3 file). These MP3 files are each encrypted. As an encryption key for encryption, a request for transmission of a file key stored in the data server 40 is requested.

The data server 40 stores the file keys (file key # 1 432) for encrypting the MP3 file from the content encryption key storage unit 430 in the access control unit 410 when the file key is transmitted from the producer 10 side. ) And file key #N 434) to the producer 10 side.

The producer 10 encrypts MP3 files using these keys after receiving the file keys. The encryption method used at this time is not related to any type of encryption and is not limited to a specific type of encryption. When the encrypted files 110 for each MP3 file is ready, the files are stored in the CD 120 and distributed. That is, the CDs 120 thus produced are distributed to record stores selling music CDs, and users can purchase them freely.

The CDs 120 thus distributed may be reproduced through the relationship between the user and the management server and the previously mentioned data server as shown in FIG. 3.

First, the reproduction process for the CD will be described in more detail through a license request made between the user 30 and the management server 20 shown in FIG. 3 and an approval process thereof. As mentioned above, the user 30 who purchased the CD 120 containing the MP3 files which are encrypted contents distributed by the producer 10 operates a program capable of playing the CD 120. Alternatively, when a CD is inserted into the CD driver in the user's system, the CD is automatically recognized and the program for driving the CD is installed or the program for performing the operation is executed.

In this case, when the execution of the program is recognized for the first time in relation to the playback of the CD 120, a key registration or a user registration is performed to automatically receive a license for the CD 120 prior to playback of the corresponding files. The program is executed by the key registration unit 310.

The key registration process is a process for registering a user in the same manner as a member registration at this site by going directly to a site for user registration operated by the management server 20 through an Internet connection through a conventional browser program or a separately written program. Only the data generated or collected on the user system may be transmitted to the management server 20 through an Internet connection.

In this key registration process, a user registers a user key included in a CD or the like. If the input user key is recognized as legitimate, information about the user and the like is transmitted and stored to the key manager 210. The transmitted data is extracted from the user system along with information about the user and system information for generating a unique key, which will be described later.

 The system information of the user 30 in the above is as follows. Components that make up a computer system include a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, a hard disk (HDD), and various devices. First, in the central processing unit, Pentium III or higher chips have unique IDs for each chip, and there is no unique ID for RAM, which is a memory. Hard disks can also find manufacturer information (IDE) by examining the physical sector of their master area. Manufacturer information includes manufacturer name, serial number, model information. Of course, in case of serial number, the number used by each manufacturer may overlap. Also, ID of network card, ID of board, etc. are possible. As such, information representing system-specific characteristics is extracted from the components of the system. In this way, the extracted information may be generated by the key management unit 210 in order to facilitate management in the management server 20, or may be automatically converted in the user system and transmitted to the key management unit 210.

The key manager 210 stores and manages the user unique key in the user unique key storage unit 420 of the data server 40. On the other hand, when the process of generating and registering a user's unique key is completed in this manner, the management server 20 issues a license for the reproduction of MP3 files, etc. included in the CD 120 to the user 30. . The license issuance is performed by the license issuing unit 220. The operation in the license generation unit 220 may be performed by a control unit included in the management server 20 and the present invention is referred to as a component having a separate function for convenience of description.

After the registration for the unique key, the user performs the browser program 320 necessary for the management and playback of the MP3 file included in the CD 120 to play the files (files # 1 to #N, MP3 files). can do. Operation of the browser program 320 for playing a file is similar to that of playing existing programs that can play general MP3 files. That is, when a specific file is selected and a playback command is executed while the browser program is executed, the browser program 320 requests a license for reproducing the file to the management server 20.

When the management server 20 receives a request for a license for the file, the management server 20 confirms that the user is a legitimate user according to the registration information of the user, and then the user for the user stored in the user unique key storage unit 420 of the data server 40 The unique key and the encryption key used when recording the files stored in the CD 120 are requested. Upon receiving the user unique key and the encryption key from the data server 40, the license issuing unit 220 of the management server 20 converts this information into a predetermined form and transmits it to the user 30 side. For example, the encryption key is converted into a state encrypted in the user's unique key and transmitted. In this case, when the user's unique key and the encryption key are separately transmitted, only the encryption key can be extracted and used alone.

When the license requested by the license requesting unit 322 of the user 30 is transmitted as described above, the browser program 320 receives the license and decrypts the MP3 file. In this case, before decrypting the MP3 file, the system information included in the user unique key is compared with the system information of the actual computer user by using the user unique key among the contents included in the license. As a result of comparison, if the information is the same, it means that the MP3 file is being played on the same system as the user's system at the time of registration. This means that the user has purchased and registered the CD according to the proper procedure. Is performed in the decoder 324.

However, as a result of the comparison, there is a difference between the system information included in the user unique key transmitted from the management server 20 and the system information included in the information extracted from the computer system on which the browser program 320 is currently executed. If so, the computer system you are attempting to play the CD on is not a legitimately registered user's system. Is displayed on the screen and the browser program 320 is automatically terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that it is legitimate, the decoding unit 324 performs decoding in a manner corresponding to the method that was initially made on the manufacturer 10 side. Decoding can be performed for each MP3 file included in the CD 120 at the time of reproduction or for the entire file. When the decoding operation is completed as described above, the reproduction state of the corresponding file is displayed on the screen by the display unit 326.

As described above, the management is performed later on all the history that has been made when the user 30 requests a license for the management server 20 or transmits a licensor from the management server 20 to the user 30. In order to manage the log 230, the log data is stored in the log data unit 440 of the data server 40.

The license approved by the management server 20 for the user 30 may repeat the request and approval for the license every time the browser program 320 on the user 30 is executed. In this case, after the browser program 320 is executed, the license information may be deleted from the user's system by itself so as not to cause a problem in the future replication. In addition, when it is inconvenient to make a connection between the user 30 and the management server 20 every time, when the user 30 requests a license for the first time, information about the user unique key and encryption key may be used. The license can be converted into an unrecognized form, and the license is stored in the system on the user's 30 side. The CD can be used only when the CD is played by using a browser program. You can also take the way.

As described above, according to the CD illegal copying method according to the present invention, when distributing content using an optical recording medium such as a CD or DVD, which is a content storage medium, the producer side encrypts and distributes each content. If you purchase and register the distributed recording media in a lawful manner, you are given the right to use the contents contained in the CD only for that particular computer system. That is, since only one computer system can be played on one CD, it is possible to effectively prevent the enormous economic loss due to illegal copying of the contents of the CD, which is a problem in the music industry.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the above embodiments, it has been used for the purpose of illustration and those of ordinary skill in the art, having the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications can be made without departing.

Claims (6)

In the method of preventing illegal copying of content by interlocking a management server and a user system, Obtaining, by the user system, the content encrypted using the content encryption key; Connecting the user system to a management server to obtain a license for playing the encrypted content; Requesting a license for playing the content from the management server; Confirming, by the management server, the user system; If the user system is identified, the management server encrypting the content encryption key using a unique key; The management server transmitting a license including the encrypted content encryption key to the user system; The user system receiving the license from the management server and extracting the encrypted content encryption key from the license; The user system decrypts the encrypted content encryption key using a unique key of a corresponding user system; Decrypting the encrypted content using the decrypted content encryption key; And Reproducing the decoded content. The method of claim 1, The license includes system information specifying the user system, and the user system plays the content if the system information matches the information of the user system. The method of claim 1, Accessing the management server by the user system to obtain the license may include automatically accessing the management server to obtain the license when the user system receives a command for playing the encrypted content from the user. Content piracy prevention method characterized in that. The method of claim 2, And the user information is derived from a unique key of the user system. The method of claim 1, The encrypted content is stored in a storage medium and distributed, characterized in that the illegal copy prevention method. In the method of preventing illegal copying of content by interlocking a management server and a user system, Requesting a license by automatically connecting the user system to the management server to obtain a license for playing the encrypted content, when a command for playing the encrypted content is received from the user by using a content encryption key; The management server receiving the request encrypts the content encryption key using a unique key stored in the user system in advance; The management server transmitting a license including the encrypted content encryption key to the user system; The user system receiving the license extracts the encrypted content encryption key from the license; The user system decrypts the encrypted content encryption key using a unique key of a corresponding user system; And And decrypting the encrypted content by using the decrypted content encryption key.

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