License Locking via Hash Validation for Locale Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing license systems fail to effectively enforce localization restrictions, allowing products to be used in unintended regions by spoofing IP addresses or physical locations, which can lead to loss of sales value and unauthorized changes to localization settings.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that locks a product license to a specific locale by using a hash-based attribute to validate the integrity of localization files, ensuring that the product uses the correct localization settings and resources, regardless of the client's IP address or physical location, by embedding a hash of localization strings and lexicon files within the license file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If IP address or physical location is used to determine locale, then localization enforcement is simple to implement, but the system is vulnerable to spoofing and unauthorized region access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a cryptographic hash (copy) of the localization files and embeds it in the license. This hash copy serves as a unique fingerprint that validates the integrity and locale of the localization files without requiring the actual files to be transmitted or stored in the license, thus maintaining security while enabling verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/network-based locale detection method (IP address, physical location sensors) with a cryptographic verification mechanism. Instead of relying on external signals that can be spoofed, the system uses mathematical hash functions to create an unforgeable link between the license and the localization files.
2Adaptability or versatility
If localization files are allowed to be modified, then the product can adapt to different locales, but the sales value in specific markets is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the hash of the authorized localization files and embedding it in the license before the product is deployed. This preliminary hashing creates a binding constraint that prevents later modification of localization files, as any change would result in a mismatched hash value that the verification mechanism would detect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously verifies the hash of the localization files against the embedded hash in the license. If the files are modified, the verification fails and the system can respond by preventing execution or alerting the user, thus providing real-time feedback that enforces locale restrictions.
3Reliability
If a hash validation mechanism is implemented, then localization integrity is secured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cryptographic verification logic from the main product execution path and implements it as a separate, dedicated validation mechanism. The hash calculation and comparison are performed as distinct operations that only activate when locale verification is required, minimizing the impact on the overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach and mechanism relative to a license that is forced or locked to a particular localization. Forcing a license of a product to be localized may be effected with an attribute specifying the locale or language of a particular region, area, or country. The lock-to-locale region or area may be set and thus force a use of localization settings, lexicon files and resources of the particular region, area or country. A hash or code may be developed and embedded as a value of an attribute on the lock-to-locale feature. The hash or code on the files installed may be validated by matching it with the hash or code securely stored within the license file to ensure that the localization files for the region or area have not been tampered with or changed.