4 ms·

I think the above comment was about product activation specifically, and not the general concept of copy protection. Of course, whether the method used for XP-

by Gormo 9mo ago

I think the above comment was about product activation specifically, and not the general concept of copy protection. Of course, whether the method used for XP-era product activation should ever have been patentable in the first place is another questoin.

asdefghyk 9mo ago
The patent https://patents.google.com/patent/US5490216A/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US5490216A/en The MAC address was only one parameter (of many) that allowed the creation of a unique hardware id (apparently) A wikipedia page specifically about the dispute with Microsoft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniloc_USA,_Inc._v._Microsoft_Corp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniloc_USA,_Inc._v._Microsoft_.... A AI summary reposted (sorry if this not allowed ?) below Australian inventor Ric Richardson pioneered software activation in the early 1990s, developing a "try-before-you-buy" system (Demoware) using a unique machine fingerprint and key-code unlocking system, now used on billions of computers. His 1992 patent (US5490216) resulted in a major legal victory against Microsoft, ending in a confidential settlement valued at over $530 million. Key details of the Ric Richardson patent and dispute: The Invention: Richardson created a method for software anti-piracy where, upon purchase, a user receives a code to unlock full functionality, addressing the need to try software before buying. Uniloc Company: Richardson founded Uniloc to develop and market this copy-protection software. The Microsoft Dispute: In 1993, Richardson demonstrated his technology to Microsoft, which subsequently developed a similar activation system for products like Office, Windows XP, and Windows Server. Legal Battle: After eight years of litigation, a US court found Microsoft infringed on the patent (Number 5,490,216), resulting in a settlement estimated to be in the low 9 figures (after earlier awards of $388 million, then over $530 million). Legacy: The technology is widely used globally, and Richardson continued to innovate in cybersecurity, developing new, secure operating system methods.

by Gormo 9mo ago

asdefghyk 9mo ago

The patent https://patents.google.com/patent/US5490216A/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US5490216A/en The MAC address was only one parameter (of many) that allowed the creation of a unique hardware id (apparently) A wikipedia page specifically about the dispute with Microsoft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniloc_USA,_Inc._v._Microsoft_Corp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniloc_USA,_Inc._v._Microsoft_.... A AI summary reposted (sorry if this not allowed ?) below Australian inventor Ric Richardson pioneered software activation in the early 1990s, developing a "try-before-you-buy" system (Demoware) using a unique machine fingerprint and key-code unlocking system, now used on billions of computers. His 1992 patent (US5490216) resulted in a major legal victory against Microsoft, ending in a confidential settlement valued at over $530 million. Key details of the Ric Richardson patent and dispute: The Invention: Richardson created a method for software anti-piracy where, upon purchase, a user receives a code to unlock full functionality, addressing the need to try software before buying. Uniloc Company: Richardson founded Uniloc to develop and market this copy-protection software. The Microsoft Dispute: In 1993, Richardson demonstrated his technology to Microsoft, which subsequently developed a similar activation system for products like Office, Windows XP, and Windows Server. Legal Battle: After eight years of litigation, a US court found Microsoft infringed on the patent (Number 5,490,216), resulting in a settlement estimated to be in the low 9 figures (after earlier awards of $388 million, then over $530 million). Legacy: The technology is widely used globally, and Richardson continued to innovate in cybersecurity, developing new, secure operating system methods.