Software Licensing via Digital Signature Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software licensing methods lack a secure and cost-effective way to limit software usage to a predefined number of users, as hardware-based solutions are expensive and vulnerable to theft, while software-based solutions can be easily circumvented by unauthorized users.
Innovation Solution
A digital signature-based licensing model that generates and manages secure license data using a private key, embedding it into the software application, and validates user identification to control and renew licenses, providing a similar security level to hardware dongle solutions without physical hardware dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-based solutions (hardware dongle) are used for software licensing, then security level is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware dongle system with a software-based digital signature verification system. Instead of requiring a physical hardware device to be inserted into a parallel port, the system uses cryptographic digital signatures embedded in software to provide equivalent security functionality, thereby eliminating the need for additional physical hardware while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the hardware dongle's security function through software. The digital signature mechanism replicates the authentication and license verification capabilities of a physical dongle without requiring the actual physical device, allowing the software to enforce licensing constraints through cryptographic verification rather than physical presence.
2Reliability
If hardware-based solutions (hardware dongle) are used for software licensing, then security level is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware dongle system with a software-based digital signature verification system. Instead of requiring a physical hardware device to be inserted into a parallel port, the system uses cryptographic digital signatures embedded in software to provide equivalent security functionality, thereby eliminating the need for additional physical hardware while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive digital certificates and cryptographic keys as disposable, easily reproducible security mechanisms. Rather than requiring expensive, durable hardware devices, the system employs software-based security tokens that can be generated and distributed at minimal cost, achieving the same protective function without the high manufacturing and distribution costs of physical hardware.
3Ease of manufacture
If software-based protection solutions are used for software licensing, then cost is reduced, but security level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware dongle system with a software-based digital signature verification system. Instead of requiring a physical hardware device to be inserted into a parallel port, the system uses cryptographic digital signatures embedded in software to provide equivalent security functionality, thereby eliminating the need for additional physical hardware while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signatures and cryptographic verification mechanisms as an intermediary layer between the software and the user. This intermediary provides a trusted verification process that prevents unauthorized copying and usage, bridging the gap between cost-effective software distribution and robust security enforcement without requiring expensive hardware infrastructure.
4Ease of manufacture
If serial number or customer identification number registration is used, then cost is reduced, but security level deteriorates due to easy transfer to unauthorized users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware dongle system with a software-based digital signature verification system. Instead of requiring a physical hardware device to be inserted into a parallel port, the system uses cryptographic digital signatures embedded in software to provide equivalent security functionality, thereby eliminating the need for additional physical hardware while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple security mechanisms into a composite licensing system. Rather than relying on a single serial number or password, the system integrates digital signatures, cryptographic verification, and license data validation into a multi-layered security approach that maintains cost-effectiveness while significantly improving resistance to unauthorized copying and sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for controlling software usage are described. Methods comprise receiving a request for at least one software application license, wherein the request comprises a user count, generating, by the computing apparatus, one or more sets of license data in response to the request, wherein a set of license data comprises at least one of the user count and a corresponding sequence number, signing each of the one or more sets of license data digitally with a private key, embedding a set of signed license data into the software application, receiving user identification data from a user through an input interface associated with the computing apparatus, and validating the user identification data. Additional embodiments incorporate mechanisms for license renewal, user registration and user authentication by means of associating a range of user identification data with the license data.