johnl@ima.UUCP (12/16/85)
/* Written 3:53 pm Dec 13, 1985 by kucharsk@gumby in ima:net.micro.pc */ /* ---------- "Re: Re: Copy Protection - a case stu" ---------- */ > (c) On EVERY distributed diskette, include (somewhere) > in the code an encrypted serial number. Keep a > record of which user has which serial number. For software that is sold at retail, this is practically impossible. The vendor sells the boxes to a distributor who sells it to a store who sells it to and end user, and none of the intermediates have much interest in keeping track of serial numbers. You can beg and plead and cajole all you want, but most users do not send in their registration cards, even though it's free, it gets them a free backup disk, a subscription to the newsletter and a free three-week vacation in Hawaii. Wish it were that easy. John Levine, ima!johnl