Data protection method and device

1. A computer-based method for modifying software, comprising: receiving, in a computer having a processor and memory, software, wherein said software provides a specified functionality; embedding a watermark into said software, using said computer, said watermark encoding at least one first license code, thereby resulting in a first license code encoded watermarked software; and wherein said first license code encoded watermarked software is configured to query a user for personalization information during its installation.

2. A computer-based method for modifying software, comprising: receiving, in a computer having a processor and memory, software, wherein said software provides a specified functionality; embedding a watermark into said software, using said computer, said watermark encoding at least one first license code, thereby resulting in a first license code encoded watermarked software; wherein said watermark is accessible with a key; and said key enables said first license code encoded watermarked software to provide said specified functionality.

3. A computer-based method for modifying software, comprising: receiving, in a computer having a processor and memory, software, wherein said software provides a specified functionality; embedding a watermark into said software, using said computer, said watermark encoding at least one first license code, thereby resulting in a first license code encoded watermarked software; and wherein the step of embedding the software with a watermark is performed during execution of the software.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a machine readable medium, having thereon stored instructions adapted to be executed by a processor of a computer system, said computer system including a memory, which instructions when executed by said computer system result in a process comprising:

said computer system storing a software in said memory;

said computer system receiving licensing information as an input and using said licensing information in an algorithm to identify a watermark in said software.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4 , wherein said watermark encodes therein information defining an executable code providing a functionality of said software.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 4 , wherein the watermark affects functionality of the watermarked software.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 5 , wherein said instructions comprise decode instructions for said computer system to use said licensing information to generate a decode key for decoding said software.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 7 , wherein said licensing information comprises a license key, and said decode instructions instruct said computer to determine said license key from said licensing information and to generate said decode key using said license key.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 4 :

wherein said watermark encodes a license key;

said instructions include a prompt to enter licensing information;

wherein said software provides a certain functionality after receipt of licensing information in response to said prompt only if said licensing information comprises a license key encoded in said watermark.

10. A computer-based system for modifying software, comprising: a computer having a processor and memory; wherein said computer is programmed to receive software that provides a specified functionality when installed on a computer system; wherein said computer is programmed to embed a watermark into said software; wherein said watermark encodes at least one first license code, thereby resulting in a first license code encoded watermarked software; and wherein said first license code encoded watermarked software is designed to prompt for entry of licensing information and only provides a certain functionality if licensing information entered in response to said prompt comprises at least one of said at least one first license code encoded in said watermark.

11. A method for licensed software use, the method comprising:

loading a software product on a computer, said computer comprising a processor, memory, an input, and an output, so that said computer is programmed to execute said software product;

said software product outputting a prompt for input of license information; and

said software product using license information entered via said input in response to said prompt in a routine designed to decode a first license code encoded in said software product.

12. A method for encoding software code using a computer having a processor and memory, comprising: storing a software code in said memory; wherein said software code comprises a first code resource and provides a specified underlying functionality when installed on a computer system; and encoding, by said computer using at least a first license key and an encoding algorithm, said software code, to form a first license key encoded software code; and wherein, when installed on a computer system, said first license key encoded software code will provide said specified underlying functionality only after receipt of said first license key.

13. A method for encoding software code using a computer having a processor and memory, comprising:

storing a software code in said memory;

wherein said software code comprises a first code resource and provides a specified underlying functionality when installed on a computer system; and

modifying, by said computer, using a first license key and an encoding algorithm, said software code, to form a modified software code; and

wherein said modifying comprises encoding said first code resource to form an encoded first code resource;

wherein said modified software code comprises said encoded first code resource, and a decode resource for decoding said encoded first code resource;

wherein said decode resource is configured to decode said encoded first code resource upon receipt of said first license key.

14. A method for encoding software code using a computer having a processor and memory, comprising:

storing a software code in said memory;

wherein said software code defines software code interrelationships between code resources that result in a specified underlying functionality when installed on a computer system; and

encoding, by said computer using at least a first license key and an encoding algorithm, said software code, to form a first license key encoded software code in which at least one of said software code interrelationships are encoded.