"Many software publishers are spending enormous amounts of energy combining high technology with great game play but are neglecting to protect their finished product from the growing software piracy epidemic," said Yves Guillemot, president of Ubi Soft Entertainment. "We felt it was critical to use Macrovision's SafeDisc copy protection to ensure protection for our consumers and to maintain our reputation."

In its first 60 days of production, SafeDisc was applied to over one million discs and licensed at 17 mastering and replication facilities worldwide. SafeDisc was used on a combined 32 Sku's by publishers that include GT Interactive, Interplay, Microprose, Red Storm Entertainment, Take 2 Interactive Software and TalonSoft.

The SafeDisc technology is a software-based solution that does not require any changes to standard PC or CD-ROM hardware. It is comprised of both an authenticating digital signature embedded on the disc, as well as a multi-layered encrypted wrapper that secures the CD-ROM content. The digital signature, which cannot be copied by CD recorders or mastering equipment, is embedded by the laser beam recorder at the time the CD-ROM master is made at the mastering/replication facility.

When a user inserts an original disc in a CD-ROM drive, the authentication software reads the digital signature, allowing the program to be decrypted and run normally. If an unauthorized copy is loaded, the authentication software will no longer be able to find the digital signature, and the copy will not run. An important feature of SafeDisc is the multi-level anti-hacking technology that helps prevent the compromise of its security features. The anti-hacking technology is designed to not only deter consumer copying, but to also thwart experienced hackers and commercial pirates.

UbiSoft Copy Protection:

Montreal based UbiSoft Entertainment will start using Macrovision's SafeDisc copy protection technology on all their upcoming CD-ROM titles. The SafeDisc technology encrypts the CD with a digital signature which can't be picked up by CD recorders and a multilayered wrapper that secures the CD-ROM content. SafeDisc is currently being utilized by TalonSoft, GT Interactive, Interplay, Microprose, Red Storm and Take Two Interactive.

Macrovision Press Releases on SafeDisc:

• Macrovision Announces SAFEDISC Production Release
• Macrovision and Ç-Dilla Announce SafeDisc Licensing Program

Articles:

• GNN: Ubi Soft setzt neuen CD-Kopierschutz ein

• Macrovision Unveils SAFECAST Copy Protection Solution

The LaserLock protection can be recognized by a (hidden) directory called LASERLOK which is in the root of the CD.

PPeter - The Hungarian Guru of CD's:
The CD-Cops protection system is not using electronic "fingerprint" code. The check routine only verifies the physical angle between the first and last accessible logical block on the CD. This verification is very good to identify the an original disc. The 8-digit code holds the angle information and the check routine compares this with the CD.
CD-Cops is a very good protection system, because the software developers don't need special mastering machine, they only have to add their verifying code to the main application. The angle between the first and last logical block is different for every disc written by CD-R writer, due to the Laser Calibration Area, different CD-R types, etc.

mcLallo:
Commercial ready-made copy protections are always interesting. Here is another one, used to protect CD-ROMs. It's a nice one, timers making sure the program will crash if something takes more time than it should (as if someone would put a breakpoint somewhere and fool around), a couple of checksums to make sure no one's been changing anything in the code, and - of course - some self-modifying code decrypting itself just when it needs to be used. It even claims to be able to separate perfect CD copies from the original CD!

• The main executable files on a DiscGuard-protected CD-ROM are encrypted.
• A special digital signature is inscribed onto a pressed CD-ROM, and mapped into a software decryption key. The digital signature is not reproducible by either counterfeiting (re-mastering) or disc burning.

When an authentic disc is used, the signature is present, decryption occurs and the application runs. The user is not even aware that the product is protected. When a copy is used, the signature is not present, no decryption occurs and the application does not run. Instead, a message, a limited demo, a link to an e-commerce web site or a presentation is launched. This transforms every illegal copy into a marketing tool and revenue generator.

It can be used virtual for any kind of media:  CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM & DVD-R

Addressing both problems of illicit mass-reproduction of software or other electronic content (counterfeiting) and copying by a casual user using the low-cost CD recorders available on the market today (disc burning), the Company's innovative solution for CD replication protection is integrated into the laser optics system of CD mastering machines. This technology enables the detection of unauthorized reproduction of the CD itself, without reference or change to the data contained on it.

The unique DiscGuard™ signature is not reproducible by pressed disc counterfeiting nor by CD-R burning. Thus, a pirate who attempts to replicate a DiscGuard™ disc will be able to only copy its content but not the embedded signature.

When the DiscGuard™ verification software detects that the application is being run from a unauthorized copy CD, a demo version of the application or other alternate program can be run at the software developer's choice.

The good thing about dongles is that they are hard to beat. Average users have no way around them, and even sophisticated computer users must have access to expensive and complicated data analysis equipment to crack the dongle's code. On the down side, dongles are expensive to manufacture, and users frequently complain of complications with the use of their serial or parallel ports when dongles are attached.

The dongle is a good idea that is trapped behind a hardware problem.

The Bongle(tm) can provide all the security of a dongle, without the cost or inconvenience. Based on a copy-protected CD-ROM that can be mass-produced for pennies, the Bongle(tm) must be placed in a CD-ROM drive when the protected software is launched on a computer or workstation. Ideal for networked environments with shared software, the Bongle(tm) can identify authorized users, regardless of which workstation they use.

Bongles are inexpensive because they're mass produced, and Bongles are secure, because they can't be duplicated on a CDR recorder.

The Bongle(tm) works because of modifications made during the CD mastering process. The result is a disc which the application software can identify as being unique. Software on The Bongle(tm) disc cannot be successfully copied onto recordable CDR discs.