US4975898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for preventing copying of an optical disk
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1987-12-21
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2007-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for preventing copying of an optical disk. A software program and the basic data necessary for executing the program, as well as an erasing program are nonrewritably recorded in advance on a predetermined region of the disk. The erasing program attempts to erase the non-rewritable portion, which has no effect on the original disk, but will erase that portion of a disk which is copied. Thus, if the software program and the basic data for executing the program are copied without authorization, the copy disk is prevented from being used.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadao Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:15
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00108; G11B20/00659; G11B20/00681; G11B20/00688; G11B20/10; G11B7/00; G11B7/007; G11B7/00745; G11B20/12; G11B20/1217; G11B2020/1259
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An optical disk for recording and reproducing data which contains a computer software application program, for use in an optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising: a read-only non-erasable portion which contains said computer software application program; a read and write erasable portion in which data can be recorded; an erasure program contained in said read-only non-erasable portion which is run when said disk is first read and which instructs said recording and reproducing apparatus to erase any erasable information located in the portion of said disk occupied by said read-only non-erasable portion, such that if said disk is copied onto a read and write erasable disk said computer software application program will be erased upon use of the copied disk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical disk for recording and reproducing data which contains a computer software application program, for use in an optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising: a read-only non-erasable portion which contains said computer software application program; a read and write erasable portion in which data can be recorded; an erasure program contained in said read-only non-erasable portion which is run when said disk is first read and which instructs said recording and reproducing apparatus to erase any erasable information located in the portion of said disk occupied by said read-only non-erasable portion, such that if said disk is copied onto a read and write erasable disk said computer software application program will be erased upon use of the copied disk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical disk according to claim 1 wherein said computer software application program and said erasure program are recorded in said read-only non-erasable portion as physical shape changes on the surface of said portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical disk according to claim 1 wherein said read-only non-erasable portion comprises the inner periphery of said disk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical disk according to claim 3 further comprising an index of the contents of said disk which is located inwardly of the inner periphery of said disk.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of preventing a computer software application program recorded on an optical disk for use in an optical disk reader having a disk controller from being copied, comprising: recording said computer software application program on a read-only non-erasable portion located on said disk; recording an erasure program in said read-only non-erasable portion which instructs said recording and reproducing apparatus to erase any erasable information located in the portion of said disk occupied by said read-only non-erasable portion; instructing said disk controller to run said erasure program when said disk is first read, such that if said disk is copied onto a read and write erasable disk said computer software application program will be erased upon use of the copied disk.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of preventing a computer software application program recorded on an optical disk for use in an optical disk reader having a disk controller from being copied, comprising: recording said computer software application program on a read-only non-erasable portion located on said disk; recording an erasure program in said read-only non-erasable portion which instructs said recording and reproducing apparatus to erase any erasable information located in the portion of said disk occupied by said read-only non-erasable portion; instructing said disk controller to run said erasure program when said disk is first read, such that if said disk is copied onto a read and write erasable disk said computer software application program will be erased upon use of the copied disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said computer software application program and said erasure program are recorded in said read-only non-erasable portion as physical shape changes on the surface of said portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising locating said read-only non-erasable portion at the inner periphery of said disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 7 further comprising providing an index of the contents of said disk which is located inwardly of the inner periphery of said disk.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |