Protection appts. against unauthorised use of commercial software - combines unique target machine ID with individual security code to produce unique password

摘要

The target machine is required to have a unique "fingerprint" ID stored permanently in hardware (e.g. PROM) and accessible to software routines. When a licence is bought to run software on a partic. machine, this ID and the software licence number are communicated to the software vendor, who supplies a unique access code in return. The three values are combined by the software to produce a common internal password enables the software to run. ADVANTAGE - Restricts use of software to designated target machines, without restricting creation of safety backup copies of purchased software.