JPH086784A - Unauthorized copy use prevention system for software / copyright and unauthorized copy use prevention processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to prevent illegal duplication without sacrificing the convenience of selling software or copyrighted works via the line, without requiring complicated procedures, and for a trial period for a certain period. The purpose is to be able to deal with easily. [Structure] A software / copyright product 13 having a lock / destruction processing means 12 and a key are sent to a terminal device 10 of a purchased user via a communication line. The terminal device 10 unlocks and uses the software or the like purchased using the key. When the expiration date expires, the software or copyrighted material is automatically locked or destroyed and stops operating. The user receives a new key or product by requesting the management device 20 to update by the continuous use request processing means 14, unlocks it by the unlocking / reuse processing means 15, and purchases until the next expiration date. Continue to use the software or copyrighted material. Repeat as long as the above is continuously used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system or method for preventing the duplication of computer programs, movies and other traditional works, and in particular, it uses a communication line to provide a central management unit and a periodical system. The present invention relates to an unauthorized duplication and use prevention system for software / copyright and a method for preventing unauthorized duplication and use of software / copywork that makes a purchased product unusable without connecting to and updating the usage right.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various techniques have been conventionally proposed for preventing unauthorized duplication of software such as computer programs and traditional copyrighted works such as videos and music.

For example, in software protection, the following methods have been considered. Hardware protection method (existence of special hardware, limited hard disk (HD) to be installed, inspection of hardware serial number).

Method by floppy disk (FD) protection (presence or absence of original FD. Original FD
Describes the key information in a nonstandard method that cannot be copied by normal copying operation).

Manual protection method (there is a question at the time of startup, unlocking is performed by using the information included in the manual attached to the software or the booklet for protection. The question is changed every time).

A method based on network protection (it does not work if software used in software of a computer connected to a LAN and having the same serial number as the number permitted on the network is running).

Authorize method (Limit the number of installs and use the original F
The file representing the copy usage right is transferred from D to the HD in which the software is installed. Check for replication usage right at startup).

[0008] In addition, as a method of appealing to the conscience, a registration system (the name of the person who has been licensed is displayed at each startup) and a serial number entry system (a software serial number is required to be input at the time of initial activation, and is not input) Since the serial number is stored in the software by input, it is possible to trace to whom it was sold if it is illegally copied.This method does not require a unique serial number to be added when the software is produced. ) Etc.

In the case of video and music, a method has been put into practical use in which analog quality is deteriorated during dubbing by adding quality deterioration processing such as copy guard to rental video. Furthermore, in the case of digital where copying is a serious problem, a method of incorporating a copy protection system as a standard from the beginning has been put into practical use and prevalent. SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) is adopted in DAT, CD, etc., and grandchild copy is prevented by using copy management information attached to music information.

[0010]

In the future, it is considered that software and copyrighted materials will be sold more often via lines. Even in this case, a mechanism for preventing unauthorized copying is important.

As a method, the special hardware that is a key is attached to the terminal according to each software.
It is necessary to mail the hardware from each software company, which impairs the convenience of sales via the line. Further, the FD protect is inconvenient and dangerous because the original FD is required every time, and the FD must be mailed. Manual protection also requires the trouble of unlocking it each time it is used, and the document must be mailed. Network protection requires an inspection on the line each time the software is started, and does not work when used separately from the line. Authorization requires a separate master FD that manages the number of copies.

Therefore, it is difficult for the conventional method to prevent illegal duplication without impairing the convenience of selling the software via the line. In addition, it is generally difficult to confirm the identity of the equipment used, and complicated procedures are required.

Further, it is not possible to deal with various levels of usage requirements at an appropriate cost, such as wanting to use a little, or to use cheaply for a certain period. Further, the SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) requires that special hardware be built in the equipment to be used in advance, and it is practically difficult to mount it on a general-purpose computer. In addition, since the computer uses each device by incorporating necessary devices, SCM
It is considered that the device for removing S can be easily incorporated. Further, there is a problem that the SCMS code can be changed by software means.

The present invention solves the above problems, makes it possible to prevent illegal duplication without impairing the convenience of selling software or the like via a line, and without requiring complicated procedures, and for a certain period of time. The purpose is to be able to easily deal with trial use.

[0015]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A is a seller of software or a copyrighted work, and B is a purchaser. It should be noted that, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the explanation will be given with A and B, but the devices that actually operate are the computer of the seller and the computer of the user, respectively.

A sells software / copyright over the line. When user B desires to purchase, B submits a use application to A via the line. In this application, personal information (address, address,
Information such as name and device).

A examines this and, if it passes, uniquely creates a key corresponding to the required use condition and period using B's personal information. A sends the software or the product body of the copyrighted work and the key to B via the line in exchange for the charge.

By using a key with a term, B can use the purchased software or the like. When the expiration date comes, B's purchase becomes unusable due to automatic locking and destruction. If you want to use it further here, apply for continuous use to A via the line. With this application, A creates a key that is valid until the next deadline in the same way and hands it to B. At this time, A performs bug correction, maintenance, improvement, change of usage conditions, and version upgrade service for B as necessary.

As described above, the use of software or the like is set to a deadline, and means for periodically updating the software is provided if necessary.

[0020]

[Function] Therefore, even if the software sold on the line is copied, it becomes unusable when the deadline comes and cannot be used again. In addition, the renewal procedure is impossible for anyone other than the registrant. Therefore, without sending the equivalent of the key, that is, without impairing the convenience of selling on the line, while providing the best maintenance service to the legitimate purchaser, the duplication of time by unauthorized users is limited. Can be prevented. Unlike network protection, the use of duplication at this time is effective even if it is independent of the line.

[0021]

1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal device 10 of the user who uses the software or the copyrighted work can be connected to the management device 20 that sells the software or the copyrighted work via a communication line.

The terminal device 10 is composed of purchased software /
It has a usage control means 11 for using the product 13 of the literary work. The usage control means 11 is, for example, a startup control means of the program when the purchased product is a software program, a display control means when the product is a video work, and an audio output control means when the work is music or the like. Is.
These may be provided in the terminal device 10 in advance, or may be provided each time in a form attached to the purchased product.

For the use control means 11 of the terminal device 10 or the software / copyright product 13, the software / copyright product 13 is automatically locked or partially destroyed after the expiration date of the purchased product. A locking / destruction processing means 12 for disabling is incorporated. Further, the terminal device 10 was sent after the continuous use request processing means 14 for requesting the management device 20 to update the right to use the software / copyright product 13 and the continuous use from the management device 20. It has an unlock / reuse processing means 15 for enabling the software / copyright product 13 to be used with a key or a part or all of the product body.

The management device 20 has a user information management means 21.
Manages information for determining an individual user who purchased the software / copyright product 13, an expiration date, and other usage conditions. The management device 20 refers to the user information of the user information management means 21 in response to the continuous use request (update request) from the continuous use request processing means 14 of the terminal device 10 and determines whether the purchaser is an authorized purchaser. Qualification examination processing means 22 for examining the usage qualification, and a key for enabling the locked / destroyed software / work product 13 to be used if the examination is passed, or a part or all of the product body is a terminal device. 10 has a usage right update processing means 22 for transmitting it to the communication terminal 10 via a communication line.

The operation is as follows. Management device 20
Sends the product main body and the information for judging the user's individual, the expiration date, and the key having the usage condition to the terminal device 10 of the user who purchased the software / copyright product 13 via the communication line. Also, such information is registered in the user information management means 21.

At the user's terminal device 10, the software / work product 13 is unlocked using the sent key, and the use control means 11 uses the software / work product 13 until the expiration date comes. . When the expiration date has passed, the software / copyright product 13 is automatically locked or partially or completely destroyed to stop its operation. If the user wishes to continue using the service, the seller's management device 20 can be used before or after the expiration date.
The continuous use request processing means 14 performs an update procedure.

In the management device 20 of the seller, in response to this, the qualification examination processing means 22 examines the usage qualification, and if the examination is passed, the usage right update processing means 23 makes a new key or the main body of the product 13 of the software / work. A part or all of the above is sent to the terminal device 10 of the user via the communication line. Also, the user information of the user information management means 21 is updated.

In the terminal device 10 of the user, the unlocking / reusing processing means 15 makes the software / work product 13 available again, and continues to use the software / work product 13 until the next expiration date. . Repeat as long as these processes are continuously used.

As a result, unless the terminal device 10 is regularly connected to the management device 20 through the communication line and the usage right is updated, the software / copyright product 13 becomes unusable and unauthorized trial use is prevented. Will be done.

Next, a more specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following example, the case of selling computer software is explained, but this may be a traditional work such as a movie, a photograph, a text, or a fact-based work such as an address book or a survey material.

A software seller is A and a user (purchaser) is B. (1) Software usage contract Seller A sells software via the line. Advertise the software you want to sell on a bulletin board for personal computer communication (process 30). When the user B makes a request for materials as necessary (process 31), the seller A accepts the request (process 32) and sends the requested materials and application form through the communication line.

When user B wants to purchase, user B
Submits a usage application to seller A via the line (process 33). This usage application includes personal information (address, name, device information, etc.) that enables User B to later determine that he is a valid purchaser (User B).

The details of the request for personal information may vary depending on the price of the software and the performance of the key requested from the function. For example, in the case of a sample product that has a strong personality as an advertisement, the personal information request is eliminated and only the expiration date is used.

The seller A examines this (process 34), and if passed, uniquely creates a key corresponding to the required usage condition and period using the personal information of the user B (process 3).
5). (2) Creation of key The key contains the information that enables the following judgment and is prepared in encrypted form. Since the technology itself concerning various security by encryption is well known, detailed description of the encryption etc. is omitted.

(A) Determination of expiration date A clock is required to determine the expiration date of software. If connected to the line and there is a reference clock on the line, it will be used with priority. When disconnected from the line, use the clock of the device. The device-specific clock may be intentionally reset by the terminal user, such as within the expiration date. Therefore, the clock is inspected each time it is started from the date and time it was first installed, and there is no return. If there is, it will be disqualified. The number of activations is also checked at the same time, and disqualified if it exceeds the upper limit that can be considered from common sense.

When the software is activated, it first looks for the key and reads it. After that, the usage conditions are decrypted from the key and the conditions are checked. If it passes the inspection, it is activated, and if it is disqualified, it is displayed to the user and the process ends. Regarding the expiration date, it is advisable to inform it at the time of startup when the renewal period is near.

It is safer to carry out the inspection periodically even after the start-up, or by event-driven (inspection when using a specific function such as printing a document). Expiration date is a fee,
It may be set according to the function of software. For example, in the case of a free sample, if the function is limited and it is free or low price with an expiration date of about one week, it can be widely tried. On the other hand, if a long-term user has a track record that the software handed over to the user has never been copied in the past, the expiration date may be set to one year.

(B) Judgment of used device When the contracted use condition limits the device, it is necessary to judge the identity of the used device. If the device-specific information can be retrieved from the software, it will be used for determination at startup. For example, when Ethernet is used, the mac number is uniquely determined for the Ethernet adapter, and this can be read by software, so this is used for the determination. In addition, if information that can limit the device to some extent (device type, hard disk label name, etc.) can be read from the software even if it cannot be uniquely determined, it is used as the determination condition. However, for information that changes later due to changes in the device configuration, avoid using it or reissue a key each time it changes.

If the information peculiar to the device cannot be sufficiently read out from the software, the reliability is poor, but the invisible attribute file created based on the personal information of the user is used as the I
D is used as a key judgment condition. When using this method, it is also possible to give permission to use multiple units. The invisible attribute file is stored in the device to be permitted by a predetermined installation work.

(C) Decryption Prevention It is impossible to completely prevent decryption, but in practice,
If the decryption doesn't pay the cost. In other words, there is no practical problem if it is difficult to decipher to some extent, it has no versatility, and it has a limited life. Use simple keys for cheap software and complex and special keys for expensive software. If the key mechanism is designed independently for each software company and each software, the spread of damage due to decryption can be minimized. In addition, if necessary, it is possible to make improvements and changes during the software usage update procedure, so it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the situation.

(3) Functional restriction of software Functional restriction means providing only what is necessary and optimal for the user. As a result, the user B has an advantage that the user B can pay the unnecessary cost and can construct the software suitable for his / her device environment and purpose. Further, the seller A can obtain the information requested by the user, and since the software is different for each individual, the illegal duplication can be reduced.

Regarding the usage conditions, those relating to software function restriction may be managed by a key or may be created by limiting the function of the main body. Even if the former changes the usage conditions later, it can be dealt with flexibly by only changing the key, but there is a risk that the user will illicitly change the usage conditions due to forgery of the key.

(4) Transfer of Software Seller A performs user registration in exchange for the charge (Process 3
6) Send the software body and key to user B via the line, or perform remote installation.

User B can unlock the software by using the key with the term (process 37), and activate and use the purchased software (process 38). Further, since the user B is an authorized registrant, when a problem occurs, he / she can receive after-care services such as maintenance at any time by connecting to a predetermined center (process 39).

(5) Renewal of license When the expiration date comes, automatic software locking (process 40)
Due to the above reasons, the purchase of User B becomes unusable.

The following method can be considered for the unusability. 1. The software itself is saved as is and does not simply start. 2. The software itself self-destructs and disappears.

3. Software self-encrypts. Moreover, the state may change depending on conditions. For example, like a bank cash card, if you try to activate with a key that cannot be used, nothing happens up to three times, but if you try to activate more than that, there is also a method of self-destruction or encryption.

If further use is desired here, a continuation application is made to seller A through the line by an update application (process 41). The seller A receiving the application from the user B, after examination (process 42), creates a key valid until the next deadline by the same method (process 43) and hands it to the user B.

At the time of updating, if the software main body also newly writes some information and includes the corresponding information in the key, even if the person who illegally copies the main body obtains a new key by some method, it cannot be unlocked. Increases safety.

If the software of the user B is destroyed or disappeared, the main body is also transferred. If it is self-encrypted, send the decryption software or operate it remotely via the line to decrypt.

The seller A performs bug correction, maintenance, improvement, change of usage conditions, and version upgrade service to the user B when necessary at the time of updating (process 44). In the terminal device 10 of the user B, the software is unlocked by the sent key (process 45) and made available. After that, you can use the software and receive services such as maintenance until the next expiration date.

The above processing is repeated each time the time limit is reached. (6) Unauthorized use If the key given to the user includes the device identity determination function, the software cannot be illegally copied and started on another device.

If the device identity determination function is not included, the software can be illegally duplicated and activated in another device, but becomes unavailable after the expiration date. In addition, those who do not have a license cannot use the service via the line including the update work. In addition, the software serial number of the software that has been illegally used is registered,
Renewal and limited functions.

(7) Image of Example of Appearance to Actual User FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of appearance (user interface) to the user in the embodiment of the present invention, (a) showing sales Immediately after the software is viewed, (b) is the appearance of the key, (c) is the appearance of the software after the user unlocks, and (d) is given to the user. An example of the software license information display is shown.

For example, assume that a user purchases online movie information. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the purchased software and its key are displayed on the desktop of the user by the purchase process. When the software is locked, as shown in FIG. 3C, the software can be activated by the same activation method as the normal software. At the time of start-up, as shown in FIG. 3D, the usage conditions and expiration date of the key are displayed. This information can be viewed when needed.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the software purchased on the line is copied illegally,
When the deadline comes, it becomes unusable and cannot be used. In addition, the renewal procedure is impossible for anyone other than the registered person. Therefore, without sending the equivalent of the key, that is, without sacrificing the convenience of selling on the line, while providing the best maintenance service to the legitimate purchaser, the duplication of time by unauthorized users is limited. It is possible to prevent it. Unlike network protection, the use of duplication at this time is effective even if it is independent of the line.

Further, according to the present invention, it is desired to use only a certain function for trial, or it is necessary only for a certain period.
It is possible to flexibly meet the demands of users, which was difficult to meet with conventional software sales, and has the effect of promoting the software market expansion.

In addition, it becomes possible to sell copyrighted works such as movies for a limited period of time and to sell viewing licenses, and the demand is not for the first purpose of ownership, for example, demand for going to a movie, or renting with a rental video. It can meet such demand. As a result of looking at the content, if you wish to re-view or own it, you can deal with it by newly changing or updating the usage conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of how a user sees in an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Terminal Device 11 Usage Control Means 12 Locking / Destruction Processing Means 13 Software / Copyright Products 14 Continuous Use Request Processing Means 15 Unlocking / Reuse Processing Means 20 Management Equipment 21 User Information Management Means 22 Qualification Examination Means 23 Usage Right renewal processing means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. One or more terminal devices having usage control means for using software or copyrighted products, and user information for using the software or copyrighted products are managed by the terminal device. A management device connectable via a communication line, and automatically disables the software or the product of the product for the product of the software or the product or the use control means of the product when the expiration date has passed. Locking / destruction processing means is incorporated, and the terminal device is provided with continuous use request processing means for requesting the management device to update the right to use the software or the product of the copyrighted work, and continuous use from the management device. The software or copyrighted product can be used with a part or all of the authorized key or the product itself. Equipped with an unlocking / reuse processing means,
The management device uses a qualification examination processing unit that examines the usage qualification based on user information in response to a continuous use request from the terminal device, and uses the software or the product of the copyrighted product when passing the examination and updating the usage right. A system for preventing unauthorized duplication and use of software / copyright, comprising a use right update processing means for transmitting a key for enabling or part or all of the product body to the terminal device via a communication line. . 2. A method for preventing unauthorized duplication and use of software or copyrighted products sold through a communication line, wherein the purchased software or copyrighted product main body and individual user The first step of sending the information having the determination information, the expiry date, and the key having the usage condition through the communication line, and the user's terminal device unlocks and uses the purchased software or copyrighted material. ， When the expiration date comes, the software or copyrighted material will be automatically locked or destroyed to stop the operation, and if the user wishes to continue using it, before or after the expiration date passes to the seller's management device In the second step of performing the renewal procedure, and the seller's management device receives the new key or part or all of the software or the product body of the copyrighted work, and the user's terminal device. To the terminal via the communication line, and a fourth step of continuing to use the purchased software or copyrighted work at the user's terminal device until the next expiration date. Software characterized by repeating up to the fourth process as long as it is used /
Unauthorized duplication prevention method of copyrighted material.