Hello aarogya,
Thanks for your question.
EETimes notes a protection scheme in a recent article:
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020828S0020
"Root technology protects CD-ROMs from illegal copying
By Yoshiko Hara
EE Times August 29, 2002 (5:30 a.m. EST)
TOKYO - Attempting to protect software on CD-ROM disks from illegal
copying, Hudson Soft Co. Ltd. and Victor Company of Japan Ltd. (JVC)
have developed a copy protection technology that employs embedded
encryption keys.
Copy protection has become an urgent issue for content owners as
personal computers increasingly include CD-R/RW drives as standard
equipment. Hudson Soft's and JVC's Root encryption technology
so-called because it is intended to prevent illegal copying "from the
roots up" features special encryption keys which are hidden in
software that's pressed onto a CD-ROM and cannot be read with ordinary
procedures. The keys are not copied properly when software on the disk
is copied to a CD-R or CD-RW disk, thus thwarting illegal duplication,
the companies said. "
"The Root encryption deserves to be called fourth-generation
encryption. It is different from existing, so-called third-generation
encryption, [in that] the encryption keys can not be located easily,"
said a spokesman for Hudson Soft.
The location, length and number of embedded key codes can be
customized for each CD-ROM title, making it more difficult for hackers
to find and decrypt the codes. JVC intends to charge between 20 cents
and $1 per disk for the encryption service, depending on the
complexity of the key codes.
Hudson Soft can be found here:
http://www.hudson.co.jp/corp/eng/index.html
JVC can be located here:
http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/global-e.html
In my search, I found a user here that claims to have an easy
protections scheme: http://neodezign.tripod.com/neotalk/74fhg74.htm
"Here's an example to copy-protect a Data CD by adding a dummy Data
track so that the backup disc will have 2 Data tracks (which is infact
an Illegal Table of Contents). "
A discusion here, http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_protect_cd.shtml
seems to have the soame information as above, plus additonal ways to
copy protect easily.
Here's an another example to copy-protect a Data CD by adding a dummy
Data track so that the backup disc will have 2 Data tracks.
If the second track has a different CD "mode" than the first then the
CD WON'T BE COPIED AT ALL. Tried it on Heroes of Might & Magic 3 and
NERO, CDRWin and EasyCD are not able to copy it.
Use the following CDRWin CUE-Sheet to write the CD.
FILE "HMM3.BIN" BINARY
TRACK 01 MODE1/2352
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 MODE2/2352
INDEX 01 73:30:45
And continues with this listing:
Here are all the available tools to generate a Copy Protected DATA or
AUDIO CD:
CD-Protector
CloneAudioProtector
Easy Audio Lock
FreeLock
TZCopyprotection
WinLock
All of the above are clickable links at the site. You might find
interesting information at these links, even though some appear to be
audio related only, rather than data.
And finally, InSync is a Disc Copy, fullfillment house with an
interesting copy protection scheme noted here:
http://www.insync-usa.com/copy_protection_2.shtml
They claim the following advantages for thier method:
Advantages:
Data Security
Unique multi-lock defense architecture (patent pending).
Two different masters of the same title can have different mult-lock
sets.
Copy protection designed in a way that makes it virtually impossible
to create a generic crack.
HexaLock Copy Protection is "hidden" - no obvious identifiers such as
constant file names or physical marks.
Designed to detect and combat CD emulators and virtual CD software.
Written in pure assembly language with advanced anti-hacking/cracking
techniques.
Can link content file protection with executable files, thus
preventing small cracked running file downloads
Software Performance:
Very fast authentication available.
Efficient use of disc capacity - 1 MB vs. 20 MB.
Designed not to constantly consume system resources.
Unequalled Flexibility:
Multiple authentication test possible.
Powerful flow control - intimate integration with protected software,
allowing demos, etc.
Can create unique defense arrays for each title.
Protect content-only CDs - picture files, data sets.
Technology is transportable to other digital platforms - hard drives,
the Internet, CD-Rs.
It looks very interesting and may be a very good solution for you.
They have a very thorough FAQ available here:
http://www.insync-usa.com/hexalock_faq.shtml
Best of luck selecting an appropriate solution to protect your
product. If any thing above is unclear, please do ask for
clarification.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
Clarification of Answer by
clouseau-ga
on
29 Oct 2002 12:51 PST
Hello again aarogya,
Let me see how I can help.
Cue sheet seems to be a function of CDRWin, a software program used
for burning CD's in small quantities at your home or office.
Information is available at
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/CDRWIN/ among other websites and
they mention that Cue Sheets are a unique attribute of this program.
In my answer, one alternative for copy protection, that is a free
solution if you are burning your own CD's, is to use CDRWin's Cue
Sheet function with the instructions listed above. Of course, if you
will be having your CD's mass duplicated out of house, this would not
be your solution of choice and JVC or InSync would be more
appropriate.
More information on the JVC/Hudson scheme can be found at:
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-955980.html
JVC: You can't copy this CD-ROM
By Matthew Broersma
Special to CNET News.com
August 29, 2002, 4:01 PM PT
They note:
"JVC plans to offer the encrypted discs through its CD-ROM pressing
business, and expects the service to boost revenue 10 percent by 2003.
The service is already available in Japan, and will become available
in the United States in October. "
So, JVC, as InSync are offering a tuen key service to mass produce
your CD's and adding their proprietary solutions to prevent copying.
If your needs are for large quantities of discs, either would be a
good solution for you.
I would contact JVC from the original link above to find a contact for
more in depth information on their service. As noted, it adds $ .20 to
$1.00 per disc cost to their duplication process and may well be an
inexpensive solution for you.
I would also call or email InSync for pricing on their product and ask
how they compare to JVC's new process. I'm sure both would be happy to
quote your project.
If, indeed, you will be doing very small runs and duplicating your
CD's in house, the home grown solutions noted in my answer may be all
that you need. I strongly recommend reading about the possible
choices, downloading a few and testing to be sure that their
protection is robust enough to allow you to be comfortable that your
data is protected.
Regards,
-=clouseau=-
|
