What's the Right Amount of Copy Protection?

WPIDalamar writes "I'm currently working on a piece of commercial software that will be available through a download and will use a license key to activate it. The software is aimed at helping people schedule projects and will be targeted mostly to corporate users. With the recent Windows Vista black screen of death, it got me thinking about what sort of measures I should go through to prevent unauthorized users from using the software. While I don't wish to burden legitimate users, I do want to prevent most piracy. How much copy protection is appropriate? Is it acceptable for the software to phone home? If so, what data is appropriate to report on? The license key? Software version? What about a unique installation ID? Should I disable license keys for small amounts of piracy, like when there's 3 active installations of the software? What about widespread piracy where we detect dozens or hundreds of uses of the same license key? Would a simple message stating the software may be pirated with instructions on how to purchase a valid license be sufficient?"

Code Wheels

[ameoba]

I've been waiting for code-wheels to make a comeback.

Personal Delivery

[clickety6]

Have each copy personally delivered(*) to the client and you will find that they never pass on copies and will faithfully purchase every upgrade you make available.

(*) Personal Delivery service to be carried out by Marco and Guido who have their own, very smart uniforms (Gucci suits, dark glasses) and will also provide their own baseball bats. A personal message from you to the client will also be delivered with every copy of the software with a reassuringly soft, menacing undertone. Contact Marco and Guido DRM(**) Services on 555-NO-REFUSAL.

(**) DRM = Delivery with Real Menace

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[account_deleted]

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Re:What's the Right Amount of Copy Protection?

[Rik Sweeney]

None.

Wrong, everyone has the right to protect something that they've worked hard on. What if the product you made was your only source of income and no-one bought it but everyone had a copy of it? You'd do whatever you could to protect your livelihood.

Get out of your fucking tree, cut your hair and get a job.

Re:None at all

[rucs_hack]

I doubt they will love to phone or send snail mail.

Oh I dunno, that used to work in the seventies and eighties. What'd'ya mean that was years ago, eh? Come 'ere you young hooligan, say that again! Get off my Property!

ZZZzzzzzzzz whut?

Re:What's the Right Amount of Copy Protection?

[Floritard]

Yea those darn security guards. Wouldn't be so bad if they just stayed in the shops, but they insist on moving in with us and making sure we use the product appropriately and let no one else use it who didn't pay for it. My kids really hate them. They like to "crack" jokes at the guards and have silly nicknames for them like "dongle." I know, my kids are weird. Those security tags are a pain too, I wish they'd just take them off at the store and not leave them on my clothing to get snagged on every thing I walk by. They itch too. Price of doing business I guess. But hey there are real thieves out there!

Re:That trick never works.

[Just Some Guy]

I've done the same sort of thing with my GPL Palm software, Contraction Timer.

Whoa, hey, back up. Contraction Timer?

Husband: Honey, can you just hold it a second longer?
Wife: STOP PLAYING WITH THAT $#!$(@)#$! PALM AND GET YOUR ASS IN THE CAR!
Husband: But I almost have it uploaded!
Wife: You have no chance to survive make your time.