US5870543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for preventing unauthorized copying of active software
Assignee: Digital River Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-11
•
Granted: 1999-02-09
•
Expires: 2017-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A computer-based system is provided for preventing unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on a computer. The system receives an indication that the computer is executing the particular software program, and then monitors operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed. When the system determines through the monitoring that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program, it disables execution of the particular software program.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel A. Ronning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/50; G06F21/52; G06F21/53; G06F21/10; G06F21/106; G06F21/1063; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2101; G06F2221/2137; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for preventing unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on a computer, comprising: receive means for receiving an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring means for monitoring operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disable means for disabling execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for preventing unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on a computer, comprising: receive means for receiving an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring means for monitoring operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disable means for disabling execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the monitoring means comprises means for monitoring the operation of the computer within a multi-tasking environment which includes a distinct visual indicator for each of the active software programs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the monitoring means further comprises means for identifying a front-most indicator among the plurality of active software programs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the disable means comprises means for disabling an image driver corresponding to the particular software program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computerized method for preventing unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on a computer, comprising the steps executed by a computer of: receiving an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disabling execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computerized method for preventing unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on a computer, comprising the steps executed by a computer of: receiving an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disabling execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the monitoring step comprises the step of monitoring the operation of the computer within a multi-tasking environment which includes a distinct visual indicator for each of the active software programs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the monitoring step further comprises the step executed by the computer of identifying a front-most indicator among the plurality of active software programs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the disabling step comprises the step of disabling an image driver corresponding to the particular software program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to prevent unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on the computer, the computer readable program code means in the computer program product comprising: receive means for causing the computer to receive an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring means for causing the computer to monitor operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disable means for causing the computer to disable execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to prevent unauthorized duplication of a particular software program among a plurality of active software programs executed on the computer, the computer readable program code means in the computer program product comprising: receive means for causing the computer to receive an indication that the particular software program is one of the plurality of active software programs on the computer; monitoring means for causing the computer to monitor operation of the computer to determine which of the plurality of the active software programs is being currently executed; and disable means for causing the computer to disable execution of the particular software program when the monitoring means determines that the particular software program is not the currently executed software program.
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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) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |