Abstract: A method for copy protection includes receiving data in a recording module representing content to be recorded on a recording medium, the data including an indication that the content is to be protected from unauthorized copying. Responsive to the indication, the recording module signals a protection module to initiate a protection protocol in synchronization with the recording module. The protection module generates control information, so as to prevent the unauthorized copying of the content that is to be protected, and conveys the control information to the recording module, in accordance with the protocol. The recording module combines the control information with the data representing the content in the recording module, for recording on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for copy protection includes receiving data in a recording module representing content to be recorded on a recording medium, the data including an indication that the content is to be protected from unauthorized copying. Responsive to the indication, the recording module signals a protection module to initiate a protection protocol in synchronization with the recording module. The protection module generates control information, so as to prevent the unauthorized copying of the content that is to be protected, and conveys the control information to the recording module, in accordance with the protocol. The recording module combines the control information with the data representing the content in the recording module, for recording on the recording medium.

Abstract: A copy protection technique is described which enables the content (14) of an application file (4, 20), for example, provided by a licensed game provider, to be copy protected without action having to be taken at the time of encoding the application file onto a DVD or other optical disc. DSV data patterns, that is data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, are to be incorporated in the application file (4, 20). It is expected that sophisticated encoders (8) at games console manufacturers will be able, for example, by using look-ahead techniques, to encode and apply the application to the glass master (10) in a manner such that the encoded data will not cause DSV problems. However, if an attempt is made to read the data on the original disc, for example, for copying purposes, the DSV data patterns will cause a CD or DVD writer to encode the data onto the copy disc in a manner which renders the resultant copy disc effectively unplayable.

Abstract: A method for copy protection includes receiving data in a recording module representing content to be recorded on a recording medium, the data including an indication that the content is to be protected from unauthorized copying. Responsive to the indication, the recording module signals a protection module to initiate a protection protocol in synchronization with the recording module. The protection module generates control information, so as to prevent the unauthorized copying of the content that is to be protected, and conveys the control information to the recording module, in accordance with the protocol. The recording module combines the control information with the data representing the content in the recording module, for recording on the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of copy protecting optical discs, such as CD-ROMs. Instead of encoding data onto the CD-ROMs in a manner which ensures balanced dc content, for copy protection the digital data is encoded and recorded onto the optical disc such that it is arranged to give some of the recorded digital data unbalanced dc content. Thus, for example, the DSV value of the encoded data may be changed rapidly in less than (100) frames to (FIG. 9). For an area of digital data on the optical disc in which the DSV has been caused to rise steeply (FIG. 10a), heavy distortions in audio arise (FIG. 10c) during an attempt to copy an audio track including the single segment of unbalanced dc content.

Abstract: It is proposed to copy protect data files for transmission by incorporating DSV data patterns, that is, data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, in the data files. The data in five audio streams and two video streams is placed, by way of encoders (10) and a multiplexer (12) into a stream of blocks of encoded data in the MPEG file format (14). In this format, blocks of video data V are arranged alternately with blocks of audio data A and padding stream blocks P. DSV data patterns (16) are incorporated into the MPEG file (14) by way of an encoder (18) to produce the copy protected data file (15). The DSV data patterns (16) are incorporated into locations within the MPEG file which have no data content such as padding stream blocks P and/or into unused audio data blocks A.

Abstract: A codeword for use in error correction of digital optical media, the codeword having a plurality of data symbols and a plurality of parity symbols, and includes an augmented channel word which can be read as either a first value or a second alternate value. The augmented channel word is one of the plurality of data and parity symbols, wherein the augmented channel word retains its value irrespective of any error correction performed.

Abstract: A copy-protected compact disc and a method for producing the optical disc and preventing unauthorized copying is provided. In one embodiment, the contents of at least one of the lead-in items in the optical disc are altered so that it is no longer uniform, thereby making a copied disc effectively corrupted and unplayable.

Abstract: A copy protected DVD disc and a method for producing and validating the DVD disc is provided. In an embodiment the method for protecting a DVD from being illegally copied includes producing a signature which includes introducing ambiguous symbols into an ECC block and partially disabling the error correction. A DVD encoder for use in producing the copy protected disc is also provided.

Abstract: A method for protecting data recorded on an original data storage medium against unauthorized copying includes receiving data encoded in accordance with an applicable recording standard, and altering a portion of the encoded data such that the altered data are identified as erroneous according to the standard. The data are recorded on the medium, together with ancillary data which are used by a processor in an intended application of the medium to operate upon the altered portion of the data such that the application runs in a manner substantially unaffected by the alteration of the data. Upon unauthorized copying of the data, however, the ancillary data are ineffective in correcting the altered portion of the encoded data, so that the alteration causes a substantially unrecoverable error in an unauthorized copy of the original medium.

Abstract: A method for protecting data recorded on an original storage medium against unauthorized copying. The data are encoded in accordance with Standard 908 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. A portion of the encoded data is altered to introduce an error in a sub-code Q channel of the data, such that the altered data are inconsistent with Standard 908, but do not prevent playback of the data following recording thereof. The data, including the altered data, are recorded on the original storage medium, whereby an application which plays back the recorded data runs in a manner substantially unaffected by the alteration of the data, but a substantially unrecoverable error occurs in unauthorized copying of the original storage medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of copy protecting optical discs, such as CD-ROMs. Instead of encoding data onto the CD-ROMs in a manner which ensures balanced dc content, for copy protection the digital data is encoded and recorded onto the optical disc such that it is arranged to give some of the recorded digital data unbalanced dc content. Thus, for example, the DSV value of the encoded data may be changed rapidly in less than (100) frames to (FIG. 9). For an area of digital data on the optical disc in which the DSV has been caused to rise steeply (FIG. 10a), heavy distortions in audio arise (FIG. 10c) during an attempt to copy an audio track including the single segment of unbalanced dc content.

Abstract: A method for copy protection includes receiving data in a recording module representing content to be recorded on a recording medium, the data including an indication that the content is to be protected from unauthorized copying. Responsive to the indication, the recording module signals a protection module to initiate a protection protocol in synchronization with the recording module. The protection module generates control information, so as to prevent the unauthorized copying of the content that is to be protected, and conveys the control information to the recording module, in accordance with the protocol. The recording module combines the control information with the data representing the content in the recording module, for recording on the recording medium.

Abstract: It is proposed to copy protect data files for transmission by incorporating DSV data patterns, that is, data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, in the data files. The data in five audio streams and two video streams is placed, by way of encoders (10) and a multiplexer (12) into a stream of blocks of encoded data in the MPEG file format (14). In this format, blocks of video data V are arranged alternately with blocks of audio data A and padding stream blocks P. DSV data patterns (16) are incorporated into the MPEG file (14) by way of an encoder (18) to produce the copy protected data file (15). The DSV data patterns (16) are incorporated into locations within the MPEG file which have no data content such as padding stream blocks P and/or into unused audio data blocks A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an application file to be carried on an optical disc and to a method of copy protecting an application, where the application is provided by an application file to be carried on an optical disc. The invention also extends to a copy protected optical disc carrying an application and to a storage device for use in a process of mastering optical discs.

Abstract: A codeword for use in error correction of digital optical media, the codeword having a plurality of data symbols and a plurality of parity symbols, and includes an augmented channel word which can be read as either a first value or a second alternate value. The augmented channel word is one of the plurality of data and parity symbols, wherein the augmented channel word retains its value irrespective of any error correction performed.

Abstract: A copy-protected digital audio compact disc and method for producing same, such that neither the proper playing of the original nor the enforcement of the copy-protection depends on the use of any special equipment. A pattern of latent noise is incorporated into a digital audio CD by overwriting some of the original audio signal data symbols with grossly-erroneous values, and then overwriting the corresponding error-correction parity symbols in such a way as to create an uncorrectable error in the codewords containing the erroneous values. An ordinary CD player of such a disc will therefore detect each occurrence of a latent noise value as an uncorrectable error and will apply interpolative error-concealment to prevent the output of the error.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention utilize the fact that CDs manufactured from the same master will have distinctive physical characteristics attributable to the physical manufacturing process of the master to distinguish counterfeit CDs from genuine discs. For a genuine disc (4), the relative angular orientation of specified sections (1, 2, 3) of the recorded data are determined and recorded. The relative angular orientation of the same sections (1, 2, 3) of data on a test disc (5) are also determined. Where the relative angular orientations are the same it is concluded that the test disc derives from the same source as the genuine disc and is therefore bona fide. Where there is no correlation, the test disc may be identified as counterfeit. The relative angular orientations, or other physical characteristics of the discs, may be physically measured, or may be calculated from information gained by reading the data on the disc.