David VanHorn wrote:

> Dongles and other extreme methods, locking it to one computer, etc, all make
> it a risk for me to use your software.  What happens when the computer I was
> using has a problem, (blown nic or whatever) or the dongle takes an ESD
> hit?  You'd be making your problem (piracy) into my problem (restrictions
> and downtime).


True. But you can have the software give a 'grace period' of a certain number
of runs without valid authorization in order to give the customer time to
get a new key. But NOT run the first time without a key, to prevent the 'reinstall
forever' method to defeating copy protection.

And if the software is THAT important, provide the user with TWO dongles, so that
they always have a working dongle.

The one method I saw that seemed quite effective is that ALL output (screen and printed)
has "licensed to COMPANY NAME" on it. Makes it hard for a thief to use the
output for profit since to do so would be promoting the competitor and would discourage
the giver since the source of the leak would be prominently displayed everywhere the
pirated software was used.

The amount of piracy is also a function of price. If I've paid a LOT for a package
I am less likely to share it with someone (why 'gift' them) than if a pay a nominal
amount.

Quite frankly, if you are that concerned about your losses to piracy, I would suggest
that it's not worth your trouble to bring it to market. (why make it easier for your
competitors?)

Nearly every method of copy protection can be defeated, and will be, so either saturate
the market quickly, at low price, or don't bother. You're not a megalithic company with
deep pockets to fund the legal battles copywrongs bring you.

Robert

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