tmays

I'm starting to sell some standalone apps to a few musicians, and i'm 

just curious as to what methods there might be to incorporate some kind 

of copy protection (authorising a specific machine, challenge/response, 

For example, is there any way from within a patch to read the machine's 

I'm not sure i actually need or want to incorporate cp, but i'm curious 

I'm starting to sell some standalone apps to a few musicians, and i'm 
just curious as to what methods there might be to incorporate some kind 
of copy protection (authorising a specific machine, challenge/response, 
whatever).

For example, is there any way from within a patch to read the machine's 
serial number?

I'm not sure i actually need or want to incorporate cp, but i'm curious 
as to how i might be able to...

copy-protection-for-standalones

You could always try Pace (the copy protection used by Max).

I understand that those who selle apps want copy protection.

I made lot of software with max/msp and it has been downloaded in over 40 countryes worldwide.

Sometimes I've thought to make commercial apps, but I get allways nasty feelings with copy protection software.

Most of the times is a big pain for users..

I had huge problems with PACE and max/msp untill I decided to get my response key into an iLok hardware key.

Recently I've bought some expensive software from another company, and copy protection gave a lot of troubles there too.

I don't know.. everytime I spend $$ and have problems with a software becouse of copy protection I get really upset.

I understand that those who selle apps want copy protection.
I made lot of software with max/msp and it has been downloaded in over 40 countryes worldwide.
By the way my stuff is freeware...

Most of the times is a big pain for users..
I had huge problems with PACE and max/msp untill I decided to get my response key into an iLok hardware key.
Recently I've bought some expensive software from another company, and copy protection gave a lot of troubles there too.

I don't know.. everytime I spend $$ and have problems with a software becouse of copy protection I get really upset.


> I understand that those who sell apps want copy protection.

> Sometimes I've thought to make commercial apps, but I get always 

> nasty feelings with copy protection software.

No, you just have to spend more time to write a good documentation, 

to send registration numbers and to bring a 'fast and serious' 

> Most of the times is a big pain for users.

No pain for a good software, eagerness only.

> I had huge problems with PACE and max/msp until I decided to get my 

> response key into an iLok hardware key.

> Recently I've bought some expensive software from another company, 

> and copy protection gave a lot of troubles there too.

> I don't know.. everytime I spend $$ and have problems with a 

> software because of copy protection I get really upset.

I don't understand... what's your question... ?

> Sometimes I've thought to make commercial apps, but I get always  
> nasty feelings with copy protection software.

No, you just have to spend more time to write a good documentation,  
to send registration numbers and to bring a 'fast and serious'  
technical support to your users.
It's just a business.

> I had huge problems with PACE and max/msp until I decided to get my  
> response key into an iLok hardware key.
> Recently I've bought some expensive software from another company,  
> and copy protection gave a lot of troubles there too.
> I don't know.. everytime I spend $$ and have problems with a  
> software because of copy protection I get really upset.

you are right, even a small shareware developer needs copy protection 

today. I don't think PACE is the right choice for small and lowprice 

software. We use serial number protection (no challenge response).

you are right, even a small shareware developer needs copy protection  
today. I don't think PACE is the right choice for small and lowprice  
software. We use serial number protection (no challenge response).

I was just saying that some copy protection protocols can make life hard for customers.

I had a BAD experience with PACE challenge response, 

was not working under many circumstances... for weeks I was not able to use the software I've paid $$$

Untill finally I've used my protools iLock and ask the company to send my unlocking key into my iLok account.

2) pure luck, what if I didn't have iLok?

I know that developers NEED copy protection... I know that very well.

I'm saying that whenever copy protection give problems to customers, it's bad..

and some protection protocols are a pain for customers.

easy...
first off, I allways pay software.. 

I was just saying that some copy protection protocols can make life hard for customers.
I had a BAD experience with PACE challenge response, 
was not working under many circumstances... for weeks I was not able to use the software I've paid $$$

Untill finally I've used my protools iLock and ask the company to send my unlocking key into my iLok account.
Now, this was 
1) a waste of time 
2) pure luck, what if I didn't have iLok?
3) annoying

I know that developers NEED copy protection... I know that very well.
I'm saying that whenever copy protection give problems to customers, it's bad..
and some protection protocols are a pain for customers.


> you are right, even a small shareware developer needs copy 

> protection today. I don't think PACE is the right choice for small 

> and lowprice software. We use serial number protection (no 

As long as we use our own CP scheme and not a standard distributed 

algorithm, no tons of crackez serialz numberz.

> you are right, even a small shareware developer needs copy  
> protection today. I don't think PACE is the right choice for small  
> and lowprice software. We use serial number protection (no  
> challenge response).

So am I, and so do I.
As long as we use our own CP scheme and not a standard distributed  
algorithm, no tons of crackez serialz numberz.
And no 'pain' for purchasers!

copy protection for standalones