Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a software copyright protection and licensing system ( 200 ) using RFID. A RFID tag ( 110 ) is supplied with a software package ( 100 ). During installation of the software package in a computer, a RFID reader ( 158 ) interrogates the RFID tag ( 110 ) for a product installation and licensing key ( 114 ). During installation of the software, an installation signature (TSig) is generated and stored in the RFID tag and computer, operation of the software is allowed if the installation signatures tally, otherwise permission is denied. Further, the system ( 200 ) allows reinstallation (process C) of the software and/or re-generation (process D) of a new installation signature under certain situations.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to software copyright protection and licensing system using radio-frequency identification. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Most commercial computer softwares are distributed with licenses. For example, in a retail shop, softwares are distributed in packages that are shrinked-wrapped. A so-called “shrink-wrap” license accompanies each software package. Such software licensing is based on a licensee&#39;s trust and honesty to abide by the license agreement, for example, by breaking the shrink-wrap and agreeing to install a copy of the software in only one computer. In a similar manner, a “site” license allows a licensee to install a predetermined number of copies of a software in many computers, for example, at a site or organisation. 
         [0003]    To enable a licensee to install a software package  10 , a product installation key  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , typically consisting of 16 alphanumeric characters, is also included in the software package. To begin installation of the software package, an installation manager prompts a licensee to enter the product installation key  14 . The installation manager then authenticates the software to ensure that the software is genuine before the software is installed into the computer. 
         [0004]    These software product installation keys in the form of alphanumeric characters are visible and, thus, cannot prevent a software from being installed in more than the agreed number of copies. Enforcement of copyright of these softwares depends very much on the licensee&#39;s organizations that own these softwares. It is obvious that enforcement of copyright of softwares installed in homes or small businesses is less effective. 
         [0005]    To ensure more effective enforcement of softwares copyright and licensing, attempts have been made to distribute softwares that require dongles. Each dongle is connected to one of the I/O ports of a computer. Such a protected software queries the I/O port to which a dongle is connected at start-up and at predetermined time intervals during its operation. This means a licensee can only run one copy of the software with a dongle supplied with the software. However, this does not prevent a user from making copies of the software in other machines and operating the software therefrom. 
         [0006]    It can thus be seen that there exists a need for another system for protecting the copyright of softwares and ensuring more effective licensing control. The present invention also aims to overcome the disadvantages of the existing prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention, and is not intended to identify key features of the invention. Rather, it is to present some of the inventive concepts of this invention in a generalised form as a prelude to the detailed description that is to follow. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the present invention provides a software copyright protection and licensing system using radio-frequency identification (RFID). The system comprises: a RFID tag accompanying a software package, said RFID tag contains at least a product installation and licensing key of the software; and a RFID reader in communication with a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer and the RFID tag; wherein during execution of the software into the CPU, the RFID reader interrogates the RFID tag for the software&#39;s product installation and licensing key; said system generates an installation signature (ISig tag ) from the product installation and licensing key and allowing execution of the software when the ISig tag  tallies with the installation signature (ISig pc ) stored in the CPU when the software was first installed, or denies execution when the installation signatures do not tally. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of enforcing software copyright and license comprising: supplying a RFID tag with a software package, said RFID tag containing at least a product installation and licensing key; communicating a RFID reader with a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer and the RFID tag; allowing installation of the software in the CPU if the product installation key is valid, otherwise denying installation of the software package; during installation of the software, prompting a licensee for licensee information, encrypting the licensee information, sending the encrypted licensee information to the RFID tag and generating an installation signature (ISig) for storage in the CPU; and allowing the software to operate if an installation signature obtained from the RFID tag tallies with the installation signature stored in the CPU, otherwise exiting the software operation. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a computer product. The computer product comprises: a software package; a RFID tag accompanying the software package, said RFID tag containing at least a product installation and licensing key for installing the software; and an amount of adhesive for attaching the RFID tag onto a casing of a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer in which the software is operable; wherein a RFID reader in communication with the CPU and the RFID tag allows installation of the software if the RFID tag is valid. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, the installation signature (ISig) comprises a unique identification and a product identification of the software in addition to the licensee information. Preferably, the licensee information comprises one or more of the following: a license number and licensee&#39;s name, address and/or contact numbers. 
         [0012]    In yet a further embodiment, the RFID tag has a line and/or an area of weakness surrounding a miniature component of the RFID tag. Preferably, the miniature component of the RFID tag may be a memory chip, a resistor and/or a capacitor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    This invention will be described by way of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a conventional shrink-wrapped software package, while  FIG. 1B  illustrates a conventional product installation key accompanying the software package; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a software copyright protection system using radio-frequency identification in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 2B  illustrates a computer with a radio-frequency identification reader built onto a mother-board according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  illustrates components of a product installation and licensing key according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 3B  illustrates an installation manager generating a secure installation signature (ISig) according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an installation process of a software package according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates an installation process (B) of a new software package according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a re-installation process (C) of a software package according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates an installation signature (ISig) regeneration process (D) according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a licensing control system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates various applications of the software and licensing system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    One or more specific and alternative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that this invention may be practised without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described at length so as not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals or series of numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  shows a software package  100  with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RFID tag  110  is schematically made up of a memory chip  118  connected to a resistor  122 , a capacitor  126  and an antenna  130 . In one embodiment, the RFID tag  110  around the memory chip  118  is weakened, for example, by a perforated line. In another embodiment, the backing behind the memory chip  118  is thinner compared to the rest of the RFID tag  110 . In yet another embodiment, a line or area of weakness surrounds the miniature components of the RFID tag such as the memory chip  118 , resistor  122  and/or capacitor  126 . It is also possible to provide a line of weakness across one or more coils of the antenna  130 . 
         [0025]    During manufacture of the software package  100 , the memory chip  118  of the RFID tag  110  is encrypted with a unique product installation and licensing key  114 . Other information such as manufacturing date, recommended retail price, destination market, and so on, may also be encrypted in the memory chip  118 . Further information, such as licensee information, number of available licenses, associated computer device number, may be written into the RFID tag  110  via a RFID reader  158  when the tag  110  is in use.  FIG. 3A  shows the product installation and licensing key  114  is encoded with at least the following information: unique identification  114   a ; product identification  114   b ; product information  114   c ; and licensee information  114   d.    
         [0026]    After purchasing a software package  100 , a user implicitly agrees to the terms of the license agreement, tears off the shrink-wrap from the package and sticks the RFID tag  110  onto a side of a computer&#39;s casing  150 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  FIG. 2B  also illustrates the computer having a mother-board  154  and a RFID reader  158  built on the mother-board  154 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the RFID tag  110  and RFID reader  158  are in close proximity to each other. In an embodiment, the RFID operates at a medium frequency, typically around 13.5 MHz, and the distance between the RFID tag  110  and reader  158  is substantially in a range of from about 2 cm to about 20 cm. Preferably, the plane of the RFID tag  110  is perpendicular to the radio-frequency flux radiating from the RFID reader  158  such that the radio-frequency flux and the antenna  130  are optimally coupled. 
         [0027]    After a licensee (user) has removed the software medium, such as, a compact disc and inserted it into an optical drive, an installation manager in the software package  100  invokes the RFID reader  158  to read the product installation and licensing key  114  from the RFID tag  110  without the licensee having to read and manually enter the product installation and licensing key  114 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the RFID reader  158  decodes the product installation and licensing key  114 . The installation manager then extracts the unique identification  114   a , product identification  114   b  and licensee information  114   c , and creates an installation hash or signature (ISig)  116 . The installation hash or signature (ISig)  116  is a secure file stored in the computer and is used to verify the copyright and licensing of the software package  100 ; these verifications will be clearer when the installation and execution of a software package according to the present invention is described in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0028]    An advantage of the present copyright protection and licensing system is that the product installation and licensing key  114  is in an electronic form and cannot be visually read. By storing the product installation and licensing key  114  in the memory chip  118  of the RFID tag  110 , the present invention helps to enforce software copyright protection. In addition, users are prevented from installing unauthorised copies of the software in separate machines. Thus, enforcement of software licensing becomes more effective. Further, with the line of weakness and/or the thin backing on the RFID tag  110 , these features help to discourage a licensee from tampering with the RFID tag  110  after it is attached to the casing  150  of a computer&#39;s CPU. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates an installation process  200  of a software package according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the installation process  200  is started by a user initiating, in step  204 , to install the software package  100  into a computer. For example, the user removes the software medium, such as a compact disc and inserts it into an optical drive in the computer. Upon the computer&#39;s operating system detecting the installation medium and executing the installation command, an installation manager in the software medium invokes the RFID reader  158 , in step  210 , to scan the RFID tag  110  that is supplied with the software package  100 . A decision is made, in step  214 , whether the RFID tag  110  is present. If the RFID tag  110  is attached to the recommended region on a side of the computer casing  150  and is within interrogation range of the RFID reader  158 , the decision in step  214  is positive, ie. “yes” and the process proceeds to step  220 . 
         [0030]    If the decision in step  214  is “no”, the installation manager issues a message to the user, in step  218 , prompting the user to attach the RFID tag  110  at a recommended position. After elapse of a time interval, the installation manager again requests the RFID reader  158  to interrogate the RFID tag  110 . In another embodiment, the RFID interrogation is repeated for a predetermined period of time, after which, the installation manager exits the installation process. In yet another embodiment, the installation manager prompts the user whether to continue with the installation process; if the user so wishes, the installation manager re-executes process steps  210  and  214 . If not, the installation manager exists the installation process. 
         [0031]    When a RFID tag  110  is detected by the RFID reader  158 , in step  214 , the RFID reader  158  sends out a burst of radio-frequency waves and interrogates the RFID tag in step  220 . Powered by the radio-frequency waves inducting the RFID tag&#39;s antenna  130 , the RFID tag  110  responds by encrypting the product installation and licensing key  114  from it memory chip  118  and sends a burst of return radio-frequency waves through the antenna  130  back to the RFID reader  158 . In step  224 , the installation manager requests the RFID reader  158  to decrypt the product installation and licensing key  114  from the RFID tag  110 . 
         [0032]    A decision is then made, in step  230 , whether the product installation and licensing key  114  is successfully transmitted by the RFID tag  110  and decrypted by the RFID reader  158 . If the decision in step  230  is negative, ie. “no”, the installation manager considers the RFID tag to be invalid, and proceeds to step  298  and ends the installation process  200 . 
         [0033]    If the decision in step  230  is positive, ie. “yes”, the installation manager extracts the licensee information  114   d  from the product installation and licensing key  114  that was already de-crypted by the RFID reader  158 . A decision is then made, in step  244 , whether the licensee information  114   d  exists. 
         [0034]    If the software package  100  is new and the licensee information  114   d  does not exist, the installation manager proceeds to step  250 . In step  250 , a new installation process B is started. If the decision in step  244  is positive, the installation manager proceeds to process C. In process C, the software package  100  is reinstalled in step  300 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a new software installation process B according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the new software installation process B starts from step  250 . In step  252 , the installation manager requests the user (licensee) for the licensee information. The licensee information may include the licensee name; address; and telephone, facsimile and/or email contact. As soon as the required licensee information is entered by the licensee, the installation manager proceeds to step  254 . 
         [0036]    In step  254 , the installation manager installs the software package  100  into the licensee&#39;s computer. At the end of the installation process, a decision is made, in step  256 , whether the installation is successful. If the decision in step  256  is negative, the installation manager determines, in step  258 , that the installation has failed. As a result, the installation manager executes, in step  278 , an installation roll-back and removes the software components that were installed by the installation manager, before ending the installation process in step  298 . 
         [0037]    If the decision in step  256  is positive, the installation manager proceeds to step  260 . In step  260 , the installation manager sends the licensee information  114   d  to the RFID reader  158  for the licensee information  114   d  to be updated into the product installation and licensing key  114 . The updated product installation and licensing key  114  is then encrypted, also in step  260 , and transmitted to the RFID tag  110 , in steps  264  and  268 . A decision is then made in step  270  whether the licensee information  114   d  is encrypted and transmitted to the RFID tag  110 . 
         [0038]    If the decision in step  270  is negative, the installation manager prompts the licensee, in step  274 , whether to retry encrypting and transmitting the licensee information  114   d  to the RFID tag  110 . If the licensee&#39;s decision in step  274  is positive, the installation manager repeats process steps  260 ,  264  and  268  accordingly. In another embodiment, a number of retry in step  274  is predetermined. If the decision in step  274  is negative, the installation manager performs an installation roll-back in step  278  before ending the installation process in step  298 . 
         [0039]    If the decision in step  270  is positive, the installation manager proceeds to step  280 . In step  280 , the installation manager creates the installation signature (ISig) or hash  116  from the unique identification  114   a , product identification  114   b  and licensee information  114   d . The installation signature (ISig)  116  is then stored in the licensee&#39;s computer, in step  284 . The installation signature stored in the computer is identified as ISig pc  in step  288 . A decision is then made, in step  290 , whether the generation and storage of the installation signature ISig pc    116  is successful. 
         [0040]    If the decision in step  290  is negative, the installation manager prompts the licensee, in step  294 , whether to retry storing the installation signature (ISig pc )  116 . If the licensee&#39;s decision in step  294  is positive, the installation manager re-executes the process steps  284  and  288  accordingly. In another embodiment, a number of retry in step  294  is predetermined. If the decision in step  294  is negative, the installation manager proceeds to step  278  and performs an installation roll-back before ending the installation process in step  298 . 
         [0041]    If the decision in step  290  is positive, the installation is successful. Accordingly, the installation manager proceeds to end the new installation process B in step  298 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates a re-installation process of a software package according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the re-installation process C starts from step  300 . In step  302 , the installation manager selects the location of the installation signature (ISig)  116 . By default, the installation signature (ISig pc )  116  is located in a storage drive, such as a boot drive “C” of a computer. In step  304 , the installation manager retrieves the ISig pc  from the storage drive. A check is then made, in step  306 , whether the ISig pc  is found in the computer. 
         [0043]    If the decision in step  306  is positive, the installation manager requests the RFID reader  158  to extract the unique identification  114   a , product identification  114   b  and licensee information  114   d  from the RFID tag  110 . An installation signature (ISig tag ) is then generated from the RFID tag  110  in step  310 . The ISig tag  is compared to the ISig pc  in step  320  and a decision is made, in step  324 . 
         [0044]    If the result of comparison in step  320  is positive, meaning that the installation signatures from the computer and RFID are identical, the decision in step  324  would also be positive. Accordingly, the installation manager proceeds to complete the installation of the software package  100 , in step  330 , before ending the re-installation process C in step  394 . 
         [0045]    If the result of comparison in step  320  is negative, the installation signatures ISig pc  and ISig tag  are determined to be invalid in step  324 . As a result, the installation manager ends the installation process in step  394 . 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, when the decision in step  324  is negative, the installation manager prompts the licensee whether to retry the re-installation process. If the licensee so wishes, the installation manager proceeds to step  340 . If not, the installation manager proceeds to end the reinstallation process C in step  394 . 
         [0047]    If the ISig pc  is not found in step  306 , the installation manager proceeds to step  340 . In step  340 , the installation manager prompts the licensee whether to request for a new installation signature. 
         [0048]    If the licensee declines, in step  340 , to regenerate a new installation signature, the installation manager proceeds to end the re-installation process C in step  394 . If the licensee wishes to regenerate a new installation signature, the installation manager proceeds to step  350 . In step  350 , process D for re-generating a new installation signature is initiated. Process D will be described under  FIG. 7 . A decision is then made, in step  380 , whether the new installation signature is successfully re-generated. 
         [0049]    If the decision in step  380  is positive, the installation manager prompts the licensee, in step  382 , to choose a location to store the new installation signature. Upon the licensee entering a requested location, the installation manager stores the new installation signature (ISig) in the computer in step  384 , and replaces the previous installation signature (ISig pc ) in step  386 . Accordingly, the software re-installation process C continues from step  302 . 
         [0050]    If the decision in step  380  is negative, the installation manager prompts the licensee, in step  390 , whether to re-try executing process D. If the licensee wishes, the installation manager executes step  350  again. If the licensee declines, the installation manager ends the reinstallation process in step  394 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  illustrates the installation signature regenerating process D according to another embodiment of the present invention. Reinstallation of a software may be required, for example, after one&#39;s computer hard disk clashes. It may also happen when a computer operating system need to be reinstalled, for example, after a virus attack and a copy of the ISig has not been copied on a portable drive. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the ISig re-generating process D starts from step  350 . In step  352 , the installation manager checks the network ports for any network connection, and a decision is made, in step  354 , whether a network port is available. 
         [0052]    If none of the network port is connected and the decision in step  354  is negative, the installation manager prompts the licensee, in step  370 , to provide a network connection and the process control then jumps to step  374 . Accordingly, the re-installation process continues through steps  380  and  390  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) and steps  352  and  354 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the process control jumps to steps  352  and  354  from step  370 . 
         [0053]    If the decision in step  354  is positive, the installation manager proceeds to step  356 . In step  356 , the installation manager extracts the product installation and licensing key  114  from the RFID tag  110 , encrypts the key and sends it to the licensor&#39;s server. With the information returned from the licensor&#39;s server, the installation manager verifies, in step  360 , the product installation and licensing key  114  retrieved from the RFID tag  110 . A decision is then made, in step  362 , whether the product installation and licensing key  114  from the RFID tag  110  is valid. 
         [0054]    If the decision in step  362  is positive, the installation manager keeps a log, in step  364 , for each attempt in re-generating a new installation signature (ISig). The installation manager then proceeds to generate a new installation signature (ISig), in step  368 , and returns process control, in step  374 , to step  380  shown in  FIG. 6 . If the decision in step  362  is negative, the installation manager interrupts the installation signature regeneration process and proceeds to end process D in step  394 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  illustrates the licensing control of a software package  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The licensing control system  300  executes at regular predetermined intervals, and allows a licensee to continue operating the software package  100  as long as the installation signatures from both the computer and RFID tag  110  match each other. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the licensing control system  300  starts from step  800 . In step  810 , the licensing system  300  periodically retrieves the installation signature (ISig pc ) from the computer. At substantially the same time, the licensing system  300  also retrieves the unique identification  114   a , product information  114   b , and licensee information  114   d  from the RFID tag  110  in step  820 , and generates the installation signature (ISig tag ) from the RFID tag  110 . In another embodiment, the licensing system  300  retrieves the installation signatures (ISig tag ) directly from the memory  118  of the RFID tag  110  in step  825 , instead of re-processing the ISig from the RFID tag  110 . 
         [0056]    In step  840 , the installation signatures from the computer and RFID tag are compared, and a decision is made, in step  844 , whether the software license is still valid. If the decision in step  844  is positive, the licensing system  300  allows the software package  100  to continue operating. The licensing system  300  periodically repeats its control from step  800  after elapse of a predetermined time interval. In another embodiment, the licensing system periodically ends by executing step  870  after each cyclic licensing loop execution. 
         [0057]    If the decision in step  844  is negative, and the installation signatures (ISig) from the computer and RFID tag  110  do not match (in step  848 ), the licensing control system  300  proceeds to step  850 . In step  850 , the licensing system  300  causes the software to exit, and the licensing system  300  to end in step  870 . 
         [0058]    Whilst this copyright protection system is described with a RFID reader  158  installed on the mother-board  154 , the present invention is not so limited. The RFID reader  158  may be an external device, which is connectable to the CPU, for example, via a USB port or any I/O port with an appropriate port driver. In the later embodiment, transmitting and storing the licensee information as part of the installation and licensing key  114  in the memory chip  118  discourage users from making copies of a software and running the copies in separate machines. 
         [0059]    Where a software package  100  is sold with multiple licenses, or so called site licenses, a number of RFID tags  110  corresponding to the number of licenses is included in the package. Each license number is stored as part of the licensee information  114   d  in the installation and licensing key  114 . 
         [0060]    So far, the present invention has been described with respect to users installing and executing licensed copies of software packages. The present invention, therefore, provides protection of software copyrights and ensures more effective licensing control. With the present invention, other areas of application such as software asset and licensing management, as shown in  FIG. 9 , as part of an entire enterprise management system is also enabled. In such asset and licensing management, a licensee carries a portable RFID reader, interrogates each RFID tag  110  to extract each software product installation and licensing key  114  and sends the product identification and licensing information to a computer for administrative purposes. 
         [0061]    While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the RFID tag  110  may be provided with an area of weakness such that tampering with it would separate the memory chip  118  from the other parts of the tag. This would discourage attempts to circumvent software copyright protection.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6