| From: | Andy Wanless |
| Date: | 16 Aug 2000 at 11:31:56 |
| Subject: | Re: Amiga Piracy |
On Wed, 16 Aug 2000, Ross Whiteford wrote:
>
> Of course, the problem lies in tracking the pirated keys/cracked copies of
> software. Many people dislike the scenario in which the program quietly
> e-mails the developer when it detects a blacklisted keyfile, but it may be
> the most powerful option.
But of course, that system won't work. How does the program know about
blacklisted keyfiles? Obviously an update to the software can include a
list of the keyfiles it shouldn't accept. Any system for validating
keyfiles is going to be less than perfect, so someone _will_ be able to
generate a pirate keyfile that works.
The only real option is for the software to run off to a server somewhere
when you first use it with a keyfile and check it's a valid one. If you're
not online, this won't work. And if you are, I suspect a lot of people
wouldn't be happy about the idea anyway.
And what happens if you have to reinstall the software? Checks the keyfile
against the server, discovers that keyfile has already been used and
assumes you've got your hands on someone elses keyfile?
I don't think there's any _technical_ solution to piracy, or at least not
one that doesn't make things difficult for legitimate users. Just have to
get all legal on the pirates, really.
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