WO2000043867A1 - Method of preventing illegal use of computer software, and recording media of computer software - Google Patents

Abstract

At a start of installation of computer software, the recording media product serial number and the hardware volume serial number are read. The serial numbers are presented to the user, while they are used to create an enciphered password that is not to be notified. When a management center is informed of the volume serial number and the product serial number given by the hardware, a password enciphered according to the information is delivered to the user. If the delivered password coincides with the enciphered password generated in the hardware, then the installation of the software is permitted.

Description

Method for preventing illegal use of computer software and recording medium on which computer software is recorded

 According to the present invention, using one recording medium in which computer software is recorded, the computer software is installed in a plurality of different consoles (hardware), or the recording medium is duplicated. This is a method for preventing the so-called illegal use of computer software, such as using it on multiple different pieces of hardware. Technology background

 Generally, commercially available computer software is a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy disk 1 or a magneto-optical disk as shown in FIG. 7 (a), or a read-only CD as shown in FIG. 7 (b). — Recorded and sold on optical recording media such as ROM 2 and writable CDR.

 When using the above-mentioned computer software, an installer or the like recorded on a recording medium is used to copy (install) the recording medium to hardware such as a hard disk of a computer. Start from duer.

On the other hand, for example, when the installation software has a large capacity and it is difficult to install the software on the hardware, the computer software is directly read from the recording medium and started without installing the computer software on the hardware. By the way, the above-mentioned computer software is sold on the condition that one product is used in one convenience store (hardware). However, installation in a plurality of different convenience stores (hardware) is required. Since it is possible, one product is used in several places and one door. On the other hand, in the case of a combi-software that reads and starts directly from a recording medium without installing it on a hard disk, by duplicating this recording medium, it can be used with multiple different hardware. It is.

 These acts are illegal use of computer software. To prevent such illegal use, a serial number must be assigned to each product, and the software must be installed or installed. A method has been adopted that requires entry of this serial number at startup.

 However, since this serial number is information that can be known by the user who purchased the product, if the user who purchases the product gives the serial number to other users, illegal installation of the combination software will occur. Also, it is not possible to prevent illegal use, such as starting the compilation software on multiple pieces of hardware using a duplicated recording medium.

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

 Therefore, according to the present invention, the installation software recorded on an authorized recording medium is installed on a plurality of different hardware, or the recording medium is duplicated, and a plurality of different recording media are used depending on the duplicated recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an illegal use prevention method and a recording medium on which the combination software is recorded, which can forcibly prevent the activation of the combination software in the hardware. Invention

In the present invention, when the installation of the computer software recorded on the recording medium is started, first, in the hardware on which the combination software is installed, a product serial number assigned to the recording medium and the hardware The product serial number and the volume serial number are read to the user, and the user is notified of the product serial number and the volume serial number. A knowledge pass code is generated.

 Here, the volume serial number is assigned automatically by the formatting software at the time of formatting the hardware.

, For example, consists of 9 digits.

 Therefore, if an encrypted anonymous password is formed from the volume serial number and the product serial number, the anonymous password will be transmitted between the recording medium used for installation and the single hardware at the installation destination. , And will be generated uniquely for the identified relationship.

 On the other hand, the user notifies the volume serial number and the product serial number notified by the hardware to, for example, a management center provided at the product distributor.

 In addition, the management center uses the product serial number and the volume serial number sent from the user to generate an encrypted return password based on the same method as the method of generating an anonymous password in the hardware. Generate and return this return password to the user.

 At the time of installation of the software, the unrecognized passcode is generated in the hardware as described above, and a return passcode is required to be input. When the return password is input by the user, The return password is compared with the unannounced password generated in the hardware, and only when the two match, the installation of the compilation software is permitted.

 In this way, an unannounced password encrypted based on the unique volume serial number of the installation destination is generated, and a return password corresponding to the unannounced password is transmitted from the user at the management center. Since it is generated based on the volume serial number and product serial number received and sent back to the user, the recording medium and the hardware at the installation destination are obtained from these volume serial number and product serial number. Will be identified and these combinations will be recorded in the management center.

Furthermore, if you try to install on different hardware using the same recording medium, Then, although the product serial number assigned to the recording medium is the same, a different unannounced password is generated in the hardware due to the difference in the volume serial number of the hardware at the installation destination. At the time of the tour, even if the previously obtained return password is entered, the installation is refused because they are different.

 Then, in order to install on a different hardware, send a new combination of volume serial number and product serial number to the management center, and try to obtain a new return password, Since the installation destination from the recording medium has already been registered in the management center by the volume serial number of the hardware on which the installation was performed, the issuance of a new return password is rejected.

 Therefore, installation on a plurality of different hardware is prevented. In the present invention, when the computer software is started directly from the recording medium, after the notification password is generated from the volume serial number and the product serial number, the return password acquired by the user from the management center is used. Input is required.

 Here, the activation of the computer software is permitted only when the input return password matches the unannounced password generated in the hardware.

 Therefore, after starting the computer software with one piece of hardware using one recording medium, if you try to start up the above-mentioned recording medium on another hardware, the volume serial number of the hardware will be different, The unannounced password generated in this hardware is different. As a result, even if the previously acquired return password is entered, the unannounced password and the return password are different, so that one recording medium cannot be used. This prevents booting of computer software on dissimilar hardware.

 This is effective for duplicating a legitimate recording medium and preventing these duplicated recording media from being started by another different hard disk.

Further, in the present invention, in the password issuing process, one Another feature is that multiple different return passwords can be generated for a product serial number by setting an upper limit.

 This is because if the hardware on which the computer software was originally installed becomes defective and this hardware needs to be reformatted, and you want to re-install on this reformatted hardware, Although this is a bona fide use, it is intended to solve the problem that the volume serial number of the hardware was changed due to the reformatting described above, so that re-installation could not be performed even with a bona fide use.

 Here, as means for exchanging information between the user and the management center described above, various communication means such as telephone, fax, mail, in-net, wireless, and e-mail can be used. is there.

 As a means for specifying hardware, a volume serial number of a hard disk mounted on a computer is typified. However, instead of this, manufacturing of a CPU, a network board, or a base board is performed. The hardware may be specified using a number.

 Further, the above-mentioned computer includes a game machine and the like. In short, the computer may be any device that can use the software.

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 system configuration for implementing the present invention.

 FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart in the first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 4 is an information processing flow chart between the user and the management center in the first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart in the second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart in the third embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a general recording medium.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In order to explain the present invention in more detail, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The recording medium used in the present invention is a floppy disk as shown in FIG. Disk 1 and CD-ROM2 are used.

 As shown in FIG. 1, a system for implementing the first embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into a user 3 and a management center 4 provided at a product distributor or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium (in the following description, it is described as CD-R 説明 M2) and the hardware (computer) recorded on this CD-ROM2 from this CD-ROM2 And

 Here, the hard disk 5 includes a hard disk 6 as a built-in writable recording medium, a display 7 for displaying an execution state of computer software, and a CD-ROM drive 8 for reading the CD-ROM 2. A floppy disk drive 9 for reading and writing the floppy disk 1 is provided. Here, the CD-ROM 2 is provided with a product serial number assigned at the time of product shipment; The information of the serial number ABC is recorded together with the installation software installer, and the hard disk 6 is provided with a volume serial number, VSN, which is randomly and automatically assigned at the time of formatting. ing.

 This volume serial number; VSN is usually composed of 9-digit decimal numbers, and the probability that the same volume serial number is assigned is 1 / 999,999,999,999.

 At the time of installation, the installer reads the product serial number; ABC, and reads the volume serial number of the hard disk 6; VSN, and reads these product serial numbers; ABC and volume serial numbers; VSN Is displayed on the display 7 to notify the user 3, and the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; After storing and displaying the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN, it is required to input a return path PD2 described later.

On the other hand, the return password PD 2 is used by the user 3 to display the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN displayed on the display 7. As shown in Fig. 1, they are obtained by sending them to the management center 4 by telephone 10 or the like and returning them from the management center 14 as shown in Fig. 1.

 That is, in the management center 4, when the user 3 sends the above-described product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN, the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; The same return path path PD2 as the anonymous path path PD1 is generated by a method similar to the encryption method recorded on the CD-ROM 2, and then returned to the user 3.

 Such exchange of information between the user 3 and the management center 4 is possible by facsimile mail or the like instead of the method using the telephone line described above.

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention using such a system will be described based on the processing flow of FIG.

 In User 3, when CD-ROM2 is set in CD-ROM drive 8 in order to install the computer software on hard disk 6, the installer recorded on this CD-ROM 2 is started. .

 When the installer is started in this way, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the product serial number; ABC recorded on CD-ROM 2 has been read. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

 In step S2, a determination is made as to whether or not the volume serial number assigned to the hard disk 6; VSN has been read. On condition that the VSN has been read, the process proceeds to the next step S3, where the product The serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN are displayed on the display 7, whereby the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN are notified to the user 3, and the next step S In 4, an encryption program generates a specific unannounced password PD1 from the product serial number; ABC, volume serial number, and VSN.

Where: the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN The notification to the user 3 can be made not only by the display on the display 7 but also by printing or by voice.

 In addition, the notification password PD 1 generated as described above is stored as installation information, for example, in the installer, and the notification to the user 3 is not performed.

 Then, as shown in FIG. 1, User 3 sends the product serial number, ABC and volume serial number; VSN, which were announced in step S3, to the management center 4 as shown in FIG. In step S4, an encrypted return password PD2 corresponding to the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN is generated by a program similar to the encryption program used in step S4. The PD 2 is returned to User 3.

 Here, the unannounced password PD1 generated in the hardware 5 and the return password PD2 generated in the management center 4 are the product serial number from which they are based; ABC and the volume serial number; VSN Are the same, the paths are completely the same.

 On the other hand, when the unannounced password PD1 is generated in step S4, the process proceeds to the next step S5, where the presence or absence of the input of the return path guide PD2 is confirmed. The process proceeds to the next step S6 on condition that the input has been made.

 In this step S6, it is determined whether or not the notification path PD1 generated in the hardware 5 matches the input return path PD2. Goes to step S7 to perform the installation, and if the two are different, stop the installation.

 On the other hand, a method of obtaining the return path guide PD2 input in step S5 will be described based on the processing flow in FIG.

First, in step SI1, it is determined whether or not the product serial number; ABC and volume serial number; VSN transmitted from the user 3 on the display 7 have been transmitted. Go to step S12 of the product serial number; Is determined.

 If it is determined in step S12 that this is the first request for the return password PD2 to the product serial number; ABC, the process proceeds to step S13, where the product serial number is entered. After an encrypted return path PD2 corresponding to ABC and volume serial number; VSN is generated, the process proceeds to the next step S14.

 In this step S14, after the product serial number; ABC, volume serial number; VSN, and return password PD2 are recorded and saved in the management center 4, the process proceeds to the next step S15. The return password PD2 is returned to the user 3, and the process is terminated.

 On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the request is for the second or more return path PD2 for the product serial number ABC, the process proceeds to step S16, where the request is transmitted. Volume serial number; VSN is the product serial number sent at the same time; ABC is first combined with the volume serial number that generated the first return password PD2; If they match, it is determined that the installation is legitimate installation on the same hardware 5, and the process proceeds to step S13 and subsequent steps.If they do not match, it is determined that the installation is illegal. If determined, the process proceeds to the next step S17, in which information indicating that a return password cannot be generated is returned to the user 3, and the process is terminated.

 Therefore, in this embodiment, if the installation is to be performed on the hardware 5 other than the hardware 5 on which the installation was first performed, the volume serial number of the different hardware 5 is different, so that the CD- Product serial number of ROM2; ABC is common, but volume serial number of hardware 5 to be installed; VSN 2SNVolume serial number of first hardware 5; VSN, which is generated in hardware 5 The unannounced password PD1 differs from the return password PD2 initially obtained from the management center 14, and as a result, installation on other hardware 5 is prevented.

Further, the official product serial number; ABC and the volume serial number of the different hardware 5; VSN are transmitted to the management center 4, and In order to obtain a new return password PD2, in the management center 4, the hardware 5. first installed from the CD-ROM 2 with the product serial number; Volume serial number; recorded by VSN, volume serial number recorded in this management center 4; VSN ≠ volume serial number transmitted; VSN, indicating that the installation was incorrect. Judgment is made, and the creation and return of a new return password PD1 is rejected.

 In this case, for example, it is prevented that the CD-ROM 2 is duplicated and installed in a plurality of different hardware 5.

 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

 In the present embodiment, steps S 21 to S 26 are the same as steps S 1 to S 8 shown in FIG. 3, respectively. Step S 7 is replaced with step S 27, and step S 8 is performed. Has been changed to step S28. That is, in the above embodiment, the installation to the hardware 5 is restricted, whereas in the present embodiment, the viewing software is started directly from the CD-ROM 2, or It is compatible with computer software that reads data.When the computer software starts up, it requests the return password PD2, and this return password PD2 is generated inside the hardware 5. Only when the unidentified password PD 1 matches, the startup of the computer software from the CD-ROM 2 is permitted.

 Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

 In the processing flow of FIG. 6, steps S31 to S36 are the same processing as steps S11 to S16 of FIG. 4, and the volume serial number transmitted in step S36 VSN is the serial number of the product; the volume serial number that was first combined with ABC to generate the first return pass PD2; with changes to the processing if it did not match the VSN .

 That is, the volume serial number transmitted in step S36; VS

Corrected paper (Rule 91) If N is not the same as the product serial number; the volume serial number that was first combined with ABC to generate the first return path guide PD2; if it did not match the VSN, proceed to the next step S37 to identify It is determined whether the number of generations (return password issuance request times) of different return passwords PD2 for one product serial number ABC is less than or equal to the predetermined number N.

 If it is determined in step S37 that the number of generations of the return path guide PD2 is equal to or less than the predetermined number N, the process proceeds to the next step S38, where the transmitted product serial number; After a return path PDn different from the previous one encrypted from the VSN is generated from the volume serial number, the process proceeds to the next step S39, where the return path PDn is returned to the user 3. To end the process.

 If it is determined that the number of generations of the different return path code PD2 for one specific product serial number; ABC has exceeded the predetermined number N, the process proceeds to step S40, and information indicating that the return path code cannot be generated. Is returned to user 3 and the process ends.

 In the present embodiment, in each of the first and second embodiments described above, installation is permitted only on one specific hardware 5, and the computer program is executed only on one specific hardware 5. However, it allows installation on multiple pieces of hardware 5 and launches computer software within a limited range.

 This is because, for example, if the hardware 5 on which the installation was first performed is formatted, a new volume serial number; VSN is assigned even though the hardware 5 is a target for a proper installation. This is to avoid such a problem that it is recognized as another hardware 5 and cannot be reinstalled.

 By recording a program for preventing such illegal use on a recording medium, illegal use of a computer program can be reliably prevented.

Corrected form (Rule 91) Industrial applicability

 As described above, according to the present invention, when a recording medium on which computer software is recorded is sold, installation on a plurality of different hardware using this recording medium and different hardware based on the copied recording medium are performed. Installation of the software on the storage medium, or running the computer software recorded on the storage medium directly from the storage medium, or using the combination software used in a form that captures the data This prevents booting with different hardware and ensures that illegal use of computer software is prevented.

 Thus, copyright infringement on computer software can be forcibly eliminated, and the rights and interests of computer software developers can be protected.

Claims

The scope of the claims  1. Read the product serial number assigned to the recording medium and the volume serial number randomly assigned to the hardware in the hardware on which the combination software recorded on the recording medium is installed. Initial processing for notifying the user of the product serial number and the volume serial number to the user, and generating an encrypted unannounced passcode from the product serial number and the volume serial number.  A password acquiring process for notifying the product serial number and the volume serial number to the management center;  In the management center, from the product serial number and the volume serial number sent from the user, a return password encrypted by the same method as the initial processing is generated and returned to the user. ,  At the time when the initial processing is completed, when the return password obtained by the issuing processing is input by the user, the return password matches the unannounced password generated in the initial processing. Illegal use determination processing that permits the installation of the computer software only if And a method for preventing illegal use of computer software. 2. The hardware that starts the computer software recorded on the recording medium reads the product serial number assigned to the recording medium and the volume serial number randomly assigned to the hardware. An initial process for notifying the user of the product serial number and the volume serial number to the user, and generating an encrypted unannounced password from the product serial number and the volume serial number;  A user obtaining a password for notifying the product serial number and the volume serial number to the management center;  A password issuing process for generating a return password encrypted by the same method as the initial process from the product serial number and the volume serial number sent from the user in the management center, and returning the password to the user; When the computer software is started, a user executes the issuing process. Is required to enter the return password acquired in this way, and only when the entered return password matches the unannounced password generated in the initial processing described above, the computer software: Usage judgment processing, And a method for preventing illegal use of computer software. 3. The password issuing process according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a user request, a plurality of different return passwords can be generated for one product serial number by setting an upper limit. The method for preventing illegal use of computer software described in paragraph 2. 4. A recording medium on which is recorded a program for implementing the method for preventing illegal use of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 3. _{WO 00/43867 Λ -. PCT / JP99} / 00218  Fifteen  Claims of amendment [28.06.199. (28.0.6.99) Accepted by the International Bureau: Initial claim 4 was withdrawn; new claims 5-9 were added The other claims remain unchanged. (Page 1)], requesting the input of the return password acquired, and starting the combination software only when the entered return password matches the unannounced password generated in the initial processing. Illegal use judgment processing to allow,  And a method for preventing illegal use of computer software.  3. The password issuing process according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a user request, a plurality of different return path guides can be generated for one product serial number by setting an upper limit. 3. The illegal use of the combination software described in Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 2.  4. (Delete)  5. (Addition) The method for preventing illegal use of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the volume serial number is a volume serial number of a hard disk.  6. (Addition) The method for preventing illegal use of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume serial number is a serial number of a CPU.  7. (Addition) The method for preventing illegal use of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the volume serial number is a serial number of a network board.  8. (Addition) The method for preventing illegal use of computer software according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume serial number is a base serial number.  9. (Addition) A recording medium on which a program for executing the method for preventing illegal use of the combination software according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is recorded. Rehabilitation (Treaty No. 19)