WO1999041657A1

WO1999041657A1 - Method of preventing illegal copy of computer software

Info

Publication number: WO1999041657A1
Application number: PCT/JP1998/004582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kunio Shiba
Original assignee: Kunio Shiba
Priority date: 1998-02-17
Filing date: 1998-10-12
Publication date: 1999-08-19
Also published as: AU1052199A; AU9459298A; JP3755900B2; JP3755899B2; WO1999041658A1

Abstract

By using a first recording medium (3) on which computer software is recorded and a programmable second recording medium (4), an inherent volume serial number VSN (HD) given to the recording medium (2) of hardware is recorded on the second recording medium as readable installation information number IIN (HD) of hardware at the time of installation, and the volume serial number of the recording medium and the installation information number of hardware are compared with each other at the time of re-installation. If they are different, the installation is rejected. Thus, the hardware is identified, and illegal copy to a large number of pieces of hardware can be avoided.

Description

Description Method of preventing illegal copying of computer software

The present invention relates to a method for copying one piece of computer software to a plurality of pieces of hardware, that is, a method for preventing so-called piracy. Technology background

In general, commercially available convenience software is sold in such a form that it is permitted to be copied (installed) to only one piece of hardware (combiyou).

However, the fact is that it is possible to install the software on a plurality of windows: II using a single recording medium on which the computer software is recorded. As a measure to prevent installation on multiple pieces of hardware, a method has been adopted in which a serial number is assigned to each product and this serial number must be entered at the time of installation. However, since this serial number is information that can be known by the user who purchased the product, it does not prevent installation on other hardware, and the user who purchased the product cannot Giving the user the serial number along with the product does not prevent illegal installation.

In addition, measures have been taken to notify users of such acts through a license agreement, etc., to prevent illegal copying, but they must rely on the morals of the users. However, the fact is that it cannot be expected to be effective.

Also, the recording medium on which the computer software is recorded can be easily duplicated, so that it can be installed on more hardware.

Therefore, the present invention provides a combination software that can forcibly prevent a plurality of hardware installations of computer software. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing piracy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing illegal copying of computer software, which can forcibly prevent the installation when installing the computer software using the copied recording medium. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention uses a first recording medium on which computer software is recorded and a second writable recording medium, and uses a unique volume pre-attached to the hardware recording medium during installation. The hardware serial number is recorded on the second recording medium as a hardware-readable installation information number, and at the time of re-installation, the volume serial number of the hardware recording medium and the second recording medium This is compared with the installation information number of the hardware recorded in, and if they differ, installation is prevented.

Here, the volume serial number assigned to the hardware recording medium is a format serial number that is automatically assigned to the recording medium automatically by the format software. For example, a 9-digit numerical value is used. It is composed of

Therefore, the probability that the same volume serial number is assigned is extremely low, and this volume serial number is recorded on the second recording medium as the installation information number of the recording medium of the hardware at the time of the first installation, and is re-installed. At the time of installation, the hardware installation information number of the hardware to be installed is compared with the installation information number of the already installed hardware recorded on the second recording medium. A determination is made as to whether the hardware is legitimately installed hardware, thereby preventing piracy to a plurality of different pieces of hardware.

Also, the present invention records a unique volume serial number previously attached to the first recording medium, as a readable installation information number of the first recording medium, on a second recording medium, At the time of installation, a unique volume serial number previously attached to the first recording medium is compared with the installation information number of the first recording medium recorded on the second recording medium, and these are different. In case This is to prevent installation.

According to this, if the first recording medium is duplicated and an attempt is made to install the duplicated first recording medium and an unused second recording medium, the duplicated first recording medium is Since the volume serial number different from the installation information number corresponding to the regular first recording medium recorded on the second recording medium is assigned, the volume serial number and the second recording medium are assigned. If the installation information number of the first recording medium recorded on the medium is different, it is determined that the first recording medium is a duplicate, thereby preventing illegal copying.

Further, the present invention records a unique volume serial number previously attached to the second recording medium on the second recording medium as a readable installation information number of the second recording medium, At the time of installation, the unique volume serial number previously attached to the second recording medium is compared with the installation information number of the second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium, and these are compared. If different, installation is prevented.

According to this, when the second recording medium is duplicated and an attempt is made to install using the duplicated second recording medium, a legitimate installation information number is copied on the duplicated second recording medium. However, since the second recording medium is assigned a volume serial number different from the installation information number corresponding to the legitimate second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium, If the volume serial number is different from the installation information number of the second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium, it is determined that the second recording medium is a duplicate, and as a result, illegal copying is performed. — Is prevented.

In addition, the present invention uses a writable recording medium on which computer software is recorded, and at the time of installation, a unique volume serial number attached to a hardware recording medium in advance. It is recorded as a readable installation information number of the hardware, and at the time of reinstallation, the volume serial number of the recording medium of the hardware is compared with the installation information number of the hardware recorded on the recording medium. In the case where is different, installation is prevented. With this, the installation information number of the hardware recording medium is recorded on the second recording medium at the time of the first installation, and at the time of reinstallation, the installation information number of the hardware to be installed and the second recording information are recorded. The hardware to be reinstalled is compared with the installation information number of the hardware that has already been installed, as recorded on the medium. This will prevent illegal coby on multiple different pieces of hardware.

Further, according to the present invention, a unique volume serial number previously attached to the recording medium is recorded as a readable installation information number on the recording medium, and the volume serial number is recorded at the time of installation. It is compared with the installation information number, and if they differ, installation is prevented.

According to this, when a recording medium on which computer software is recorded is duplicated, and an attempt is made to install using the duplicated recording medium, a legitimate installation information number is copied on the duplicated recording medium. Since the volume serial number different from the installation information number corresponding to the legitimate second recording medium recorded on this recording medium is assigned to this duplicated recording medium, this volume serial If the number is different from the installation information number of the second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium, it is determined that the second recording medium is a duplicate, thereby preventing illegal copying. .

And, by encrypting the installation information number, the present invention also prevents the installation information number from being tampered with, thereby further improving the illegal copy prevention effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a recording state of a volume serial number and an installation information number on a recording medium used in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a recording state of a volume serial number and an installation information number on a recording medium for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a recording state of a volume serial number and an installation information number on a recording medium for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a hard disk (HD) 2 is installed as hardware on which computer software is installed. Computer 1, a CD-ROM (CD) 3 as a first read-only recording medium on which the software is recorded, and a floppy disk (FD) 4 as a second writable recording medium. The main member is constituted by.

The computer 1 is provided with a CD-ROM drive 5 for reading the CD 3 and a floppy disk drive 6 for reading and writing the FD 4.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the CD 3 and the FD 4 have a volume serial number that is automatically and randomly assigned at the time of formatting, VSN (CD 1). And volume serial number; VSN (FD 1) are recorded, and FD4 can read the volume serial number; VSN (CD 1) and volume serial number; VSN (FD 1) Is recorded as the installation information number; I IN (CD 1) and I IN (FD 1).

In the HD5, a volume serial number, VSN (HD1), which is automatically and randomly assigned at the time of formatting, is recorded. This volume serial number; VSN is usually composed of 9-digit decimal numbers. The probability that the same volume serial number is assigned is 1 / 999,999,999.

Further, by encrypting the numerical value by performing an arbitrary operation, the probability can be further increased.

Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. 3 using such main constituent members.

First, insert CD3 and FD4 into convenience store 1 where you want to install the convenience store software. For example, start the installer recorded on CD 3 and start the installation.

When this installation is started, the installation information number of HD 2 stored in FD 4; I IN (HD 1) is read (step S 1), and this IIN (HD 1) is recorded. It is determined whether or not I IN (HD 1) has not been recorded, and it is determined that this is the first installation, and in the next step S 3, the I IN After recording (HD1) on FD4, install it on HD2 (step S4), and terminate the process.

Thus, when the first installation is performed using the regular CD 3 and FD 4, as shown in FIG. 2, the volume serial number of the installed HD 2; VSN (HD 1) The installation information number is recorded on FD 4 as I IN (HD 1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that I IN (HD 1) is recorded on FD4, it is determined that the first installation has been performed on any hardware, and the next installation is performed. Proceeding to step S5, read the VSN (HD 1) of HD 2 of the computer 1 and compare the VSN (HD 1) read from HD 2 with the IIN (HD 1) read from FD 4. (Step S6), and on condition that these are the same, proceed to Step S4 to permit the installation, and if it is determined that they are different, it is determined that the hard disk is not the one for which installation is permitted. To refuse the installation (step S7) and end the process. That is, by such processing, the first time using regular CD 3 and FD 4 At the time of installation, the computer 1 to be installed is not selected and the installation is performed, and after one installation, only the first computer 1 is allowed to be reinstalled. Illegal copying can be prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. This embodiment shows a copy protection method in a case where the installation is performed using the copied CD 3, but when the CD 3 is copied, all the information recorded on the official CD 3 is copied. As shown in FIG. 4, the copied CD3 is assigned a volume serial number different from the regular CD3; VSN (CD2).

Therefore, when the installation is started using the copied CD3 and the regular FD4, first, the regular IIN (CD1) of the CD3 recorded on the FD4 is read (step S10), and then the CD3 is read. The VSN (CD) is read (step S11), and these I IN (CD1) and VSN (CD) are compared (step S12).

And if they are equal, ie read VSN (CD) = legitimate CD 3 volume serial number; VSN (CD 1) = legitimate instrument serial number; I IN (CD 1) and insert The determined CD 3 is determined to be a legitimate CD, the process proceeds to the next step S13, the installation is permitted, and the process is ended.o

On the other hand, in the case of the copied CD 3, since the volume serial number is assigned as VSN (CD 2), in step S12, the read VSN (CD) = VSN (CD 2) ≠ regular CD3 volume serial number; VSN (CD1) = legitimate installation information number; IIN (CD1), ie, read VSN (CD) = VSN (CD2) 判断 Judge as legitimate IIN (CD1) Therefore, it is determined that the inserted CD 3 has been copied (step S14), the installation is rejected, and the processing is terminated.

With such a process, installation using the duplicated CD 3 can be avoided. Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG.

This embodiment shows a copy protection method in a case where the installation is performed using the duplicated FD 4, but when the FD 4 is duplicated, all the information recorded in the regular FD 4 is copied. As shown in Fig. 6, the copied FD4 is assigned a volume serial number different from the regular FD4; VSN (FD2). In 4, the official installation information number recorded in the official FD 4; IIN (CD 1) and IIN (FD 1) are duplicated.

Therefore, when the installation is started using the duplicated FD 4 and the regular CD 1, first, the regular IIN (FD 1) of the FD 4 recorded on the FD 4 is read (step S20). The volume serial number of 4; VSN (FD) is read (step S21), and these I IN (FD 1) and VSN (FD) are compared (step S22).

And if they are equal, ie, VSN (FD) read = regular volume serial number of FD4; VSN (FD 1) = regular installation information number; I IN (FD 1), and inserted FD4 Is determined to be a legitimate FD, the process proceeds to the next step S23, installation is permitted, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in the case of the duplicated FD 4, the volume serial number is assigned as VSN (FD 2), and thus, in step S22, the read VSN (FD) = VSN (FD 2) の regular Volume serial number of FD 4; VSN (FD 1) = legitimate installation information number; I IN (FD 1), ie, read VSN (FD) = VSN (FD 2) ≠ legitimate I Since it is determined to be IN (FD 1), it is determined that the inserted FD 4 has been duplicated (step S24), the installation is rejected, and the process ends.

Through such processing, installation using the duplicated FD4 can be avoided.

As described above, in the present invention, the installation to a plurality of different This can prevent installation using a duplicated CD 3 or FD 4.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which each process of preventing installation on a plurality of different computers 1 and preventing installation using a copied CD 3 or FD 4 is performed separately. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it is also possible to carry out these processes continuously.

In this figure, steps S30 to S33 are processes for the duplicated FD, and steps S34 to S37 are duplicated. Step S38 to step S44 are processes for preventing installation on a plurality of different computers 1.

By performing such processing, it is possible to deal with all forms of illegal copying by a series of processing.

Such an anti-piracy method is applicable to a case where the computer software is recorded on a single writable recording medium, for example, an FD alone or a CDR alone. Of course. Furthermore, in the case of a CD-ROM used as a read-only recording medium that cannot be written after shipment, when the CD-ROM is manufactured, that is, when the combination software is written, the CD-ROM is used. After reading the unique volume serial number, this volume serial number is written together with the computer software as an installation information number. However, by preventing installation when these are different, illegal copying can be prevented even with a single CD-ROM.

Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, when the convenience software is recorded on a recording medium and sold, it can be incorporated into the installer to forcibly prevent illegal copying.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Using a first recording medium on which computer software is recorded and a second writable recording medium, at the time of installation, a unique volume serial number previously attached to the hardware It is recorded as a hardware readable installation information number on the second recording medium, and upon reinstallation, the volume serial number of the hardware recording medium and the hardware serial number recorded on the second recording medium are recorded. A method for preventing illegal copying of computer software, comprising comparing with an installation information number and preventing installation if the numbers are different.

2. Record a unique volume serial number previously assigned to the first recording medium on the second recording medium as a readable installation information number of the first recording medium, and at the time of installation, The unique volume serial number previously assigned to the first recording medium is compared with the installation information number of the first recording medium recorded on the second recording medium. 2. The method for preventing illegal copying of computer software according to claim 1, wherein installation is prevented.

3. Record the unique volume serial number given to the second recording medium in advance as a readable installation information number of the second recording medium on the second recording medium, and at the time of installation, A comparison is made between the unique volume serial number previously assigned to the second recording medium and the installation information number of the second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium. 3. The method for preventing illegal copying of computer software according to claim 1 or 2, wherein installation is prevented.

4. Use a writable recording medium on which the software has been recorded. At installation, a unique volume serial number previously assigned to the hardware recording medium can be read by the hardware. It is recorded as a unique installation information number, and at the time of re-installation, the volume serial number of the hardware recording medium is compared with the hardware installation information number recorded on the recording medium. To prevent installation if they differ. The feature is a method to prevent illegal copying of the combination software.

5. On the recording medium, a unique volume serial number assigned to the recording medium in advance is recorded as a readable installation information number, and at the time of installation, the volume serial number and the recorded installation information are recorded. The method for preventing illegal copying of combination software according to claim 4, wherein a comparison is made with a number, and if the numbers are different, installation is prevented.

6. The method for preventing illegal copying of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the installation information number is encrypted.

7. When manufacturing a read-only recording medium on which computer software is recorded, a unique volume serial number previously attached to the recording medium is recorded as an installation information number in the computer software. A computer which compares the volume serial number with an installation information number recorded in a computer software at the time of installation, and prevents the installation if the two are different. How to prevent software piracy.

Claims in the certificate

[April 8, 1999 (08.0 4.9.9) Accepted by the International Bureau: New claims 8, 9 and 0 have been added: other claims remain unchanged. (Page 2)]

The scope of the claims

1. Using the first recording medium on which the combination software is recorded and the second writable recording medium, at the time of installation, the unique volume serial number previously attached to the hardware It is recorded on the second recording medium as a readable installation information number of hardware, and upon re-installation, the serial number of the recording medium of the hardware and the recording on the second recording medium are performed. A method for preventing illegal copying of combi-win software, which compares the installed information numbers of the installed hardware with each other, and prevents the installation if the numbers are different.

2. Record the unique volume serial number given to the first recording medium in advance as the readable installation information number of the first recording medium on the second recording medium, A comparison is made between the unique volume serial number previously assigned to the first recording medium and the installation information number of the first recording medium recorded on the second recording medium. 2. The method for preventing illegal copying of combination software according to claim 1, wherein installation is prevented.

3. The unique volume serial number previously assigned to the second recording medium is recorded as a readable installation information number of the second recording medium on the second recording medium. The unique volume serial number previously assigned to the second recording medium is compared with the installation information number of the second recording medium recorded on the second recording medium. 3. The method for preventing illegal copy of the combination software according to claim 1 or 2, wherein installation is prevented.

4. Use a writable recording medium on which the combination software is recorded. At the time of installation, read a unique volume pre-assigned to the hardware recording medium. Read the hardware number to the recording medium. It is recorded as a possible installation information number, and at the time of reinstallation, the volume serial number of the hardware recording medium is compared with the hardware installation information number recorded on the recording medium. In addition, a paper amended to prevent installation (Article 19 of the Convention) Features a method of preventing illegal copying of computer software.

5. On the recording medium, a unique volume serial number previously attached to the recording medium is recorded as a readable installation information number, and at the time of installation, the volume serial number and the recorded installation information number are recorded. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the installation is prevented if the two are different from each other, and the method for preventing illegal computer software: ii.

6. The method for preventing illegal copying of a computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the installation information number is encrypted.

7. When manufacturing a read-only recording medium on which computer software is recorded, a unique volume serial number pre-attached to the recording medium is recorded as an installation information number in the compilation software. At the time of installation, the volume serial number is compared with the installation information number recorded in the computer software, and if they are different, installation is prevented, whereby illegal copying of computer software is characterized. How to prevent.

8. (Addition) The method for preventing illegal copying of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the volume serial number is encrypted.

9. ('Addition) In the method for preventing illegal copying of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the identification number given to the hardware is an installation information number instead of the volume serial number. A method for preventing illegal copying of computer software.

10. (Addition) In the method for preventing illegal copying of a computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an identification number assigned to a hardware CPU instead of the volume serial number. The computer information as an installation information number.

Amended paper (Article 19 of the Convention)