The solution to piracy?

#1
Guest_Kaabi_*

Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:50 AM

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I was just thinking, and this could be a possible solution to stopping piracy, but I don't know, I'm just thinking. People could download the free trial of a program, but instead of it having a key to unlock the paid version, people would have to purchase the paid version separately, and there would be no key at all. Eh? Good idea?

#2
Crane

Posted 09 July 2006 - 04:04 PM

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Hey Kaabi,
That is already a popular idea behind programming. In fact, this method works very well but then people just make copies of your program for free once they download it.

The best idea, I think, would have a trial version that can't be unlocked and doesn't even have the code for the full version. Once they purchase they download the full version but it still has a key as well.

#3
Guest_Kaabi_*

Posted 19 July 2006 - 01:25 PM

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Interesting, that might work a little better, although I don't really understand why the full version would still have a key.

#4
forumnewbie

Posted 20 July 2006 - 04:21 PM

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Kaabi said:

Interesting, that might work a little better, although I don't really understand why the full version would still have a key.

so a lot of people can't just copy the software and use it. Granted, they can just copy the key with the app, but at least its one additional step.

I'm not too against software connecting to some server on the internet and making sure there is only one user for the license. Obviously there are pros and cons of that, but I think its better than the key option.

#5
Guest_ShortCircuit_*

Posted 20 July 2006 - 04:36 PM

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Alot of software does that already, it seems to work well and there doesnt seem to be a way around server side validation unless someone hacks the server...

#6
Guest_Jordan_*

Posted 20 July 2006 - 04:45 PM

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ShortCircuit said:

Alot of software does that already, it seems to work well and there doesnt seem to be a way around server side validation unless someone hacks the server...

In regards to the first post, one of the cracker networks will just purchase the program and redistribute the file.

Server validation works great as well. It works very well with programs that are created for online use because you validate in several different places against a server. You could also do a registration key and then do a activation key that registers online like Adobe does.

Even with these methods, a cracker can just take out the registration code that validates against a server/db.

#7
Guest_callis_*

Posted 21 July 2006 - 03:18 AM

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Server validation hackers have already find ways to get around that, i think photoshop has somethings similar.

#8
Lop

Posted 21 July 2006 - 05:43 AM

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Yup, the only way to actually defeat piracy is to make your software free.....

#9
Guest_sn17_*

Posted 08 August 2006 - 06:15 AM

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If the software guys atleast reduce the prices of the software, then piracy will reduce.

#10
WingedPanther

Posted 08 August 2006 - 06:28 PM

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This is exactly the model that was used by ID software when they made Doom, Doom II, etc. Epic Megagames did something similar with a lot of their shareware, too. This was back in the early 90s.

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#11
Guest_chaganlal1_*

Posted 09 August 2006 - 03:27 PM

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Interesting topic, I personally think there will never be a solution to piracy. I think this would help is by not using any type of lockable serial code or access into the full program. I think having 50 percent of the application on the cd then having the authentic program download from a website being online and downloading the other 50 percent of the data then having some kind of key to unlock the full code sent via email from the website. I know thats a bit complicated but such is required because of hackers/crackers these days.