Abstract: An authorization system and associated method for selectively authorizing a host system to use one or more items of protected information associated with the host system. The authorization system includes a portable authorization device that is removably couplable to the host system. The portable authorization device is capable of receiving and storing multiple items of authorization information associated with a plurality of respective items of protected information from one or more information authorities. Preferably, the portable authorization device is capable of communicating with multiple types of information authorities. The portable authorization device selectively authorizes the host system to use the one or more respective items of protected information based upon the respective authorization information stored therein.

Abstract: A method for anti-piracy protection of a software application by obfuscation of the execution of portions of the applications code is described. The method includes providing a language specification and library to implement the functions of the language, providing a compiler to translate the language into byte codes, and providing an interpreter to execute the byte codes using the library. The method further includes providing the language specifications, library, compiler, interpreter, and instructions to a software publisher, where the software publisher embeds the library and interpreter in the application to be protected, and selects and prepares application code segments for processing into byte codes by the compiler. The application is then executed using the embedded library and interpreter, where the execution of the application is obfuscated by the use of byte codes.

Abstract: A method for anti-piracy protection of a software application by obfuscation of the execution of portions of the applications code is described. The method comprises providing a language specification and library to implement the functions of the language, providing a compiler to translate the language into byte codes, and providing an interpreter to execute the byte codes using the library. The method further comprises providing the language specifications, library, compiler, interpreter, and instructions to a software publisher, wherein the software publisher embeds the library and interpreter in the application to be protected, and selects and prepares application code segments for processing into byte codes by the compiler. The application is then executed using the embedded library and interpreter, wherein the execution of the application is obfuscated by the use of byte codes.

Abstract: An authorization system and associated method for selectively authorizing a host system to use one or more items of protected information associated with the host system. The authorization system includes a portable authorization device that is removably couplable to the host system. The portable authorization device is capable of receiving and storing multiple items of authorization information associated with a plurality of respective items of protected information from one or more information authorities. Preferably, the portable authorization device is capable of communicating with multiple types of information authorities. The portable authorization device selectively authorizes the host system to use the one or more respective items of protected information based upon the respective authorization information stored therein.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting software from unauthorized use on a computer system using an external security device is disclosed. The method and system include encrypting the software to be protected using an encryption key. The use of the software on the computer system is then authorized by generating the encryption key within the security device using information supplied from the software. Once the encryption key generated by the security device is received on the computer system, the encryption key used to decrypt the encrypted software for execution on the computer system.

Abstract: A method for anti-piracy protection of a software application by obfuscation of the execution of portions of the applications code is described. The method comprises providing a language specification and library to implement the functions of the language, providing a compiler to translate the language into byte codes, and providing an interpreter to execute the byte codes using the library. The method further comprises providing the language specifications, library, compiler, interpreter, and instructions to a software publisher, wherein the software publisher embeds the library and interpreter in the application to be protected, and selects and prepares application code segments for processing into byte codes by the compiler. The application is then executed using the embedded library and interpreter, wherein the execution of the application is obfuscated by the use of byte codes.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a secure authoring service for protected software is disclosed. The method and system include creating a protection authoring toolset on a networked server, and receiving a copy of the software product to be protected from a software publisher over a network. The method and system further include processing the software product on the server using the protection authoring toolset, such that the software product is wrapped with a protection wrapper, and returning the protected software product to the publisher over the network for testing and delivery to customers.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting software from unauthorized use on a computer system using an external security device is disclosed. The method and system include encrypting the software to be protected using an encryption key. The use of the software on the computer system is then authorized by generating the encryption key within the security device using information supplied from the software. Once the encryption key generated by the security device is received on the computer system, the encryption key used to decrypt the encrypted software for execution on the computer system.