Abstract: An authorized user of the program is allowed to make any number of backup copies of a computer program and to execute each such backup copy on the same authorized machine, but is inhibited from executing either the original or any copy thereof on any other machine. The method is implemented by including a control program with the application program to be copy controlled, which control program causes an interaction and registration of the program during initialization of the program with a central computer. The method includes generating a configuration code based on the configuration of the user's computer and the communication of the configuration code to the central computer. The central computer thereafter generates a permission code based on the communicated configuration code and communicates the permission code back to the user. The permission code is then entered into the user's computer and stored as a part of the control program.