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GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Bog28-May-03 8:58
Bog28-May-03 8:58 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Christian Merritt28-May-03 9:37
Christian Merritt28-May-03 9:37 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Bog28-May-03 9:55
Bog28-May-03 9:55 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
The Limey28-May-03 10:34
The Limey28-May-03 10:34 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Ranjan Banerji28-May-03 9:47
Ranjan Banerji28-May-03 9:47 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Bog28-May-03 9:52
Bog28-May-03 9:52 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Kant28-May-03 13:20
Kant28-May-03 13:20 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Rocky Moore28-May-03 22:27
Rocky Moore28-May-03 22:27 
It is really going to depend on many factors. One version I have pondered on using should I release an application to the general public again, is to use a "battery" type system. (Oppps.. Better run on patent it so that I can wait five years and hit people up for fees Wink | ;) )

With the it will simply force the person to "charge" the registration battery when they sign up. This makes a full battery in the program and will function normally until the battery runs out. When it gets low it will have in icon that appears somewhere which if they click on will charge it back up. If it continues to get lower it will start blinking. When the battery is almost died, it will start a popup each time you run the application informing them it needs charged. When it batter dies the program dies until recharged.

This both allows off-line use but with regulation. There would also be an option to keep the battery charged any time there is a network connection thus eliminating any user intervention.

I would also give each installation a unique ID and allow (x) installs per purchase. When they are charging the system, it will pass that ID to the server that will verify they are a legal user. If not, or the number of times it is charged (if you allow two machines then in a battery time span it would allow two recharges), if more charges have been used than allowed or it is an invalid code it would not charge.

All this is a simple way to protect software. BUT (yes there is always one of those), if you are writing an application in C#, unless you have a very good scrambler, some smart person will just decompile your program and diconnect the battery.

This is one of the reasons companies like Microsoft are now trying to force everyone into a hardware key so that hacked version can be detected. I have one rule when it comes to copy protection, "If man created, man can break it". You can never make an application safe you can only keep honest people honest.

Another way to cut down on piracy is to put out lots of updates. If a hacked version it detected in an update, they program no longer works.

Rocky Moore <><
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Daniel Turini29-May-03 11:35
Daniel Turini29-May-03 11:35 
GeneralRe: Copy protection via internet Pin
Bog29-May-03 16:59
Bog29-May-03 16:59 
Generaltest :) Pin
Bog15-Jul-03 2:25
Bog15-Jul-03 2:25 
GeneralAdding a user to an Active Directory group that contains more than 1,000 members Pin
Christian Merritt28-May-03 6:37
Christian Merritt28-May-03 6:37 
GeneralSave a typed DataTable DefaultView (Content) to XML Pin
STW28-May-03 4:56
STW28-May-03 4:56 
GeneralCrystal Report: How to change registration keycode Pin
STW28-May-03 4:47
STW28-May-03 4:47 
GeneralRe: Crystal Report: How to change registration keycode Pin
joan_fl28-May-03 5:31
joan_fl28-May-03 5:31 
GeneralClickety Police Pin
Ray Cassick28-May-03 6:57
Ray Cassick28-May-03 6:57 
GeneralRe: Crystal Report: How to change registration keycode Pin
Meysam Mahfouzi28-May-03 17:18
Meysam Mahfouzi28-May-03 17:18 
GeneralRe: Crystal Report: How to change registration keycode Pin
STW29-May-03 20:07
STW29-May-03 20:07 
GeneralUsing System.Web in C# Pin
aatja0128-May-03 4:05
aatja0128-May-03 4:05 
GeneralRe: Using System.Web in C# Pin
28-May-03 5:24
suss28-May-03 5:24 
QuestionIs this possible? Pin
Manster28-May-03 3:48
Manster28-May-03 3:48 
AnswerRe: Is this possible? Pin
Nick Parker28-May-03 4:34
protectorNick Parker28-May-03 4:34 
GeneralIssues Consuming Webservice From WinForm App Pin
Ach1lles28-May-03 3:05
Ach1lles28-May-03 3:05 
GeneralCrystal Reports and .net Pin
Braulio Dez28-May-03 1:15
Braulio Dez28-May-03 1:15 
GeneralRe: Crystal Reports and .net Pin
Rocky Moore28-May-03 3:28
Rocky Moore28-May-03 3:28 

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