On Thu, 1 Jul 1999 10:51:24 +0200, you wrote:

>>> I recently found a site that states they can extract the code from a
>>> protected Pic16f84 microcontroller for a hefty price of 175 bucks. I
>>> also have information on how to bust the code from a protected
>>> Pic16c84. However does anyone know how to bust the code from protected
>>> pic16c5x series microncontrollers or any others..
>>
>>> Any help would be greatly appreciated..
>
>>interpol.com have solutions for most of these chips.
>
>Ok. I got a question: If some one bust your code, so you can *really* think
>he done it. If the device that you suspect carry your stolen code is
>protected.. how do you will adquire proves against the buster to demostrate
>that is *your* code without busting the 'offending' device, and at the same
>time avoiding play lawyers games about who busted who? I think that the same
>external pin reaction to the same external pin excitement is not a solid
>court argument. I am wrong about that?
Depends what the 'reaction' is - if it outputs 'copyright fred bloggs'
in serial async format, or maybe morse code on a LED this would seem a
pretty strong case. 
The trick is to provide a function which is not necessary for the
application, and unlikely to be discovered accidentally, and so there
is no way that someone else writing code to perform the required main
function would incorporate the same 'hidden' function. 
>And this is not OT, I think. Is pure and hard PIC industrial surveillance
>and countersurveillance.
>
>
>Keep on PICing