IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,716,138
Granted Patent B2
US 7,716,138 · App. 11/652,243 · Granted May 11, 2010

Method for discouraging the distribution of illegal copies of computer programs over file sharing networks

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,716,138
App. No.
11/652,243
Granted
May 11, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Special CD-keys are generated so as to have special patterns recognizable by compliant installer programs, which require special actions to be taken by the compliant installer programs when recognized. Since the special patterns are different than those used for valid CD-keys, non-compliant installer programs will treat them as invalid CD-keys and refuse to install any computer programs for which the invalid CD-keys are provided. The special CD-keys are included in text files that have associated metadata indicating that they are for installing copies of computer programs to be protected. The text files are then offered by agent computers for downloading on file sharing networks.

Claims (30)

1. A computer implemented method for discouraging the distribution of illegal copies of a computer program over a file sharing network, comprising:

receiving a CD-key during an installation process for an illegal copy of a computer program downloaded from the file sharing network;

looking for a pattern in the CD-key to indicate that the CD-key is a valid CD-key;

installing the illegal copy of the computer program on a designated computer if the CD-key has the pattern; and

if the CD-key does not have the pattern, then looking for a second pattern in the CD-key to indicate that the CD-key is a special CD-key requiring special action to be taken.

2. The computer implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

performing the special action if the CD key has the second pattern.

3. The computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein the special action is an impairment action.

4. The computer implemented method according to claim 3 , wherein the impairment action is to freeze the designated computer.

5. The computer implemented method according to claim 3 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which has reduced functionality.

6. The computer implemented method according to claim 3 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which is fully functional only for a limited period of time.

7. The computer implemented method according to claim 3 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which is non-functional.

8. The computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein the special action is a product promotion action.

9. The computer implemented method according to claim 8 , wherein the product promotion action is to install a trial version of the computer program that is limited in time or functionality, but provides a user of the designated computer to upgrade to a fully functional version upon payment of a fee.

10. The computer implemented method according to claim 8 , wherein the product promotion action is to install a non-functional version of the computer program that presents an advertising message on a computer display screen of the designated computer when a user of the designated computer attempts to run the installed non-functional version of the computer program.

11. The computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein the programmed action is to clandestinely report an identification of the designated computer to an anti-piracy service.

12. The computer implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein if the CD-key does not have the pattern or the second pattern, then looking for a third pattern in the CD-key to indicate that the CD-key is a special CD-key of a second type requiring special action of the second type to be taken.

13. A system for discouraging the distribution of illegal copies of a computer program over a file sharing network, comprising:

an agent computer configured to connect to a file sharing network, and offer a text file for downloading on the file sharing network which includes an anti-piracy CD-key associated with a computer program; and

a participant computer of the file sharing network configured with a compliant installer program for installing copies of computer programs, wherein the compliant installer program is configured to receive a CD-key during an installation process for a copy of a computer program, look for a pattern in the CD-key to indicate that the CD-key is a valid CD-key, install the copy of the computer program if the CD-key has the pattern, and if the CD-key does not have the pattern, then look for a second pattern in the CD-key to indicate that the CD-key is the anti-piracy CD-key.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the compliant installer program is further configured to perform a special action if the CD-key has the second pattern indicating that it is the anti-piracy CD-key.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the special action is an impairment action.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the impairment action is to freeze the participant computer.

17. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which has reduced functionality.

18. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which is fully functional only for a limited period of time.

19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the impairment action is to install a version of the illegal copy of the computer program which is non-functional.

20. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the special action is a product promotion action.

21. The system according to claim 20 , wherein the product promotion action is to install a trial version of the computer program that is limited in time or functionality, but provides a user of the participant computer to upgrade to a fully functional version upon payment of a fee.

22. The system according to claim 20 , wherein the product promotion action is to install a non-functional version of the computer program that presents an advertising message on a computer display screen of the participant computer when a user of the participant computer attempts to run the installed non-functional version of the computer program.

23. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the special action is to clandestinely report an identification of the participant computer to an anti-piracy service.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053458/0749 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053481/0790 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2020
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.; VEVEO, INC.; INVENSAS CORPORATION; INVENSAS BONDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TESSERA, INC.; TESSERA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DTS, INC.; PHORUS, INC.; IBIQUITY DIGITAL CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053468/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: APTIV DIGITAL INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; SONIC SOLUTIONS LLC; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0090 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051110/0006 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051143/0468 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 24, 2014
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; SONIC SOLUTIONS LLC; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033407/0035 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Jul 24, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC; APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033396/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2011
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC, A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY; ROVI CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 027039/0168 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2010
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
To: ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC; APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ODS PROPERTIES, INC.; ROVI DATA SOLUTIONS, INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TV GUIDE DATA SOLUTIONS, INC.); ROVI GUIDES, INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.); ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MACROVISION CORPORATION); ROVI SOLUTIONS LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MACROVISION EUROPE LIMITED); ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE, INC.; TV GUIDE ONLINE, LLC; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025222/0731 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 15, 2008
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; INDEX SYSTEMS INC; MACROVISION CORPORATION; ODS PROPERTIES, INC.; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE ONLINE, LLC; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 020986/0074 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2007
From: SZELES, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM
To: MACROVISION CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 018793/0965 →