Re: Protecting Software w/ Software License -- a modest proposal.
Re: Protecting Software w/ Software License -- a modest proposal.
- Subject: Re: Protecting Software w/ Software License -- a modest proposal.
- From: Jeff LaMarche <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 23:15:30 -0700
On Monday, June 17, 2002, at 10:37 PM, Kirk Kerekes wrote:
>
Just my two bits in the discussion -- how about a strategy of "poisoning
>
the well" for serial# thieves --
>
We use the anonymity and zero-cost distribution that the serial-number-thieves
>
count on _against_ them.
<snipped to save bandwidth>
One of the biggest reasons why anti-piracy schemes fail is that developers
underestimate the hackers. It is very difficult to "hide" what you're doing
in your code. The effort it would take to effectively obfuscate the fact that
certain serial numbers were bad is probably not worth it. and all it will
do is prolong the period of time before a hack or valid serial is publicly
available, plus you run the risk of alienating that one-in-a-thousand (or
whatever) legitimate user that gets hit with the "PIRATED" stamp.
As a developer, you need to balance the effort with the return. Anything you
can think up, someone can take apart. The best you can hope for is to make
it so that "mostly honest" people pay.
It's easy to fall into a game of cat and mouse. Ambrosia for a while was invalidating
numbers as they found them in C&N and Surfer's Serials (two of the more widely-distributed
SN lists), but they were at a disadvantage - they had software to write, while
many hackers have plenty of spare time and are willing to work for "free", so
to speak. They've achieved an interesting compromise that works for them and
takes less of their time away from writing new software.
It is absolutely true that some level of effort is justified in "encouraging
honesty" (those that really don't want to pay will find a way not to). What
that is will depend on the complexity and cost of the App. Every option has
its drawbacks and there's always a risk of the game consuming more resources
than its worth. When an anti-piracy scheme takes several pages to explain,
it is most likely not worth the effort.
- Jeff
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