METHOD OF PROTECTING SOFTWARE AND DATA FROM COPYING, ILLEGAL USE, UNAUTHORISED DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESS USING DISTRIBUTED ELECTRONIC KEY Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G06F21/24 

FIELD: physics, computer engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to computer engineering and specifically to protecting software and data from copying, illegal use and unauthorised distribution. According to the method of protecting software and data, an electronic key is made distributive, i.e., includes a main module and auxiliary modules. The main module is connected to a defined computer interface (e.g., USB, LPT or PCMCIA) or is embedded into a software or data storage device. Through a special driver, the protected program or data then send the main module information which is processed in accordance with a given algorithm and then returned. If the key response is correct, the program continues to operate. Otherwise it can execute any action set by the developers, e.g., switch to a demonstration mode, while blocking access to certain functions. When generating a response, the main module accesses auxiliary modules which are rigidly tied to a specific physical location (embedded into walls, floor etc) or a certain moving object.

EFFECT: high security of software and data from copying, illegal use, unauthorised distribution and access.

12 cl