Creating a Website.... some basic questions

wolfman

j_davies wrote:

Well never had any of my/firms two programs distributed anywhere else as I made sure that it was a unique key registration and if the same key popped up twice with the users info different than original purchase we just didnt supply the registration code, and if a person moved address we verified the last four digits of the credit card, its really quite simple to put safety measures in place but most people are to lazy, even MS.

What's to stop someone purchasing it, then just distributing the key and address? It'd never differ as everyone would be using the same key and address, and hence would be able to sign up without being flagged.

The only real way I can think of stopping people (ignoring reverse engineering) is to only let the software work if it can connect to your server. If the same key shows up as being used at the same time on your server, you block the key, and the software can no longer run. This can be very inconvenient though. Much like how any typical gaming (Battlefield 2142, World Of Warcraft etc...) works.

j_davies

wolfman wrote:

What's to stop someone purchasing it, then just distributing the key and address? It'd never differ as everyone would be using the same key and address, and hence would be able to sign up without being flagged.

That was actually an example but ofcourse there are many ways in protecting files, one of the best ways believe it or not is to have the product sent out only by post and that cuts down fraudulent use by 65% (allegedly), also recerse engineering is a different ball game altogether.

@moneyuser You really shouldnt believe every top shelf PC magazine as the statistics of misuse is a very grey area at the moment and Im certainly not naive just giving more help than some other posters who almost say dont bother.

One thing I will say is it copyrighted and patented, have you done a market research investigation, if so and it seems to be that your onto a good thing why not sell to a software house and make some money that way and let them deal with the hassle, also dont forget if it isnt copyrighted and someone steals the software you are pretty well out on a limb and cant do nothing really to protect your investment, if you need more help with copyright and software send me a PM, oh yeah just google just to make sure that someone isnt doing the same thing already and you infringe on their copyright,

Best of luck. :beer:

Astaroth wrote:

Everything you create is automatically copyrighted.

Thats incorrect because you dont own the rights exclusively. I mean could you imagine selling a product with no copyright that would bring so many problems its not even viable, Its like the old wives tale > If you post your idea to yourself the postage date mark will indicate its authenticity, thats so wrong its laughable.

Astaroth

Everything you create is automatically copyrighted. Any formal process is simply to make it easier to enforce in the future.

The OP is very clearly doing this on a tight budget on the basis of their original questions - I would suspect that the file they are distributing is not an application either on the basis that a programmer would have at least basic knowledge and known the answers to the questions they asked.

Whilst there are some fairly effective ways to handle copy protection none of the ones mentioned are really suitable for someone with a £30 budget and no programming experience.

James_Bond

Astaroth wrote:

Everything you create is automatically copyrighted. Any formal process is simply to make it easier to enforce in the future.

The OP is very clearly doing this on a tight budget on the basis of their original questions - I would suspect that the file they are distributing is not an application either on the basis that a programmer would have at least basic knowledge and known the answers to the questions they asked.

Whilst there are some fairly effective ways to handle copy protection none of the ones mentioned are really suitable for someone with a £30 budget and no programming experience.

I haven't actually made it. Just asked someone to do it for me and brand it etc.

..and it's more than a £30 budget :rolleyes: