Patent ID: 8205096
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of generating, from an original software application executable, a protected executable that includes the original application executable and license information for the application, the method comprising: generating startup code for an original application to be protected; obtaining computer executable code of the original application, and license information for the original application; and generating a protected application executable as a shelled application comprising the original application executable as application code, and a shell in which the license information is embedded and containing the startup code as shell code; the shelled application comprising instructions for implementing a secure tunnel within the shelled application between the application code and the shell code, and instructions implementing at least one application programming interface (API) for the application code to access the license information in the shell code, whereby during execution the shelled application can perform a method comprising: calling the API from the application code within the shelled application; generating secure communication session keys; using the keys to establish a secure tunnel within the shelled application between the application code and the shell code; and communicating between the application code and the shell code using the secure tunnel; whereby use of the original application can be authorized by the shelled application alone using the embedded license information after the shelled application is launched.