RE: [cinjug-users] Product Keys

["Schneider, Michael" <scmikes@xxxxxxx>]

Scott,

 

It extends beyond java.  A good hacker can defeat any of the licensing systems available,

 

A very simple licensing/registration system may remind people that you are serious about protecting your intellectual property.  I would think long and hard about not allowing the software to run if the licensing is not valid. 

 

Constant deliverery of value to paying customers will encourage more paying customers :-)

 

Good luck with your product,

Mike

 

 

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From: Scott Hofmann [mailto:shofmann@xxxxxxxx]
Sent: Fri 8/11/2006 8:51 AM
To: 'James Carman'; users@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [cinjug-users] Product Keys

Thanks James for the reading. The last paragraph hit home the most to me.

 

Considering these examples, Java developers are foolish to think that they can enforce licensing terms from within the software that they sell. Interactive demonstrations over the Web are a much better idea, as are distributing toy versions of tools to show some of their features. Of course such demonstrations can fail to make a convincing case for a product, but perhaps making fewer sales is better for developers than giving away products for nothing. On the other hand, the traditional concept of shareware might be the best solution of all for Java developers. That would allow them to focus more on developing better products and supporting users who pay a modest licensing fee instead of wasting time dreaming up further Maginot licensing schemes.

 

- Scott

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From: James Carman [mailto:james@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 7:15 AM
To: Scott Hofmann; users@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [cinjug-users] Product Keys

This is somewhat dated, but I found it a very interesting read when I was considering how to write a licensing service for my Java code.  It’s somewhat depressing:

 

http://www.cigital.com/hostile-applets/maginot.html

 

 

 

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From: Scott Hofmann [mailto:shofmann@xxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 7:06 AM
To: users@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cinjug-users] Product Keys

 

Hello everyone,

I'm involved in a software product being developed in Java and wondered if anyone here has had any experience with product keys and registrations?  I'm hearing from the developer that to do registration:

 

"From my research online, it looks like the only truly secure way is to have a license server.  The software would then connect to the license server to ensure that it is legitimate.  However, this seems like an expensive solution as it requires *much* more development work in addition to having another server to maintain."

 

Sooo... I'm trying to identify ways others are doing their product keys or have heard of doing them. We really do not need a truly secure key. The product will sell for under $50. What we need we think is just a simple solution that help to:

 

- Keep people honest and not feeling to free about passing along copies to other.

- Being able to provide support to those who truly purchased the product.

- Most likely we would not trouble ourselves with those people who are dishonest and feel the need to find loop hole in software product keys in order to use it anyway.

 

Any advice or thoughts on this topic would be helpful.

 

- Scott Hofmann