A Token-based Software License Protection Framework Using One-way Hash Functions

摘要

Software piracy damages not only the income of software providers but also the development of the whole information technology industry. The widespread adoption of high-speed networks and the "always-on" nature of Internet computer usage makes online license enforcement and management feasible. Here a framework that integrates fingerprint technology with one-time installation, and achieves real-time interaction between the provider and user, is described. In this framework, to continue to use software the customer needs tokens supplied by software provider. The SHA-256 one-way hash function is used in the token algorithm of this framework. This framework enriches the application of one-way hash algorithms, and also provides a more flexible on-demand software billing and charging method.