11,171
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Common Copy Protection Measures
;2000s
*Digital Rights Management (DRM): DRM restricts how a disc's content can be accessed or copied. It may require online activation, limit installations to a certain number of devices, or disable specific features on copied discs. '''See [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Digital_rights_management_(DRM)#Types_of_DRM PCGamingWiki: Types of DRM methods on Discs]'''.
:*Middleware: '''SecuROM''' is one of the most well-known examples, SecuROM (introduced in 1998) employed a combination of techniques. It used disc encryption, monitored system resources for signs of copying, and sometimes included features like copy limitation or online authentication. '''LaserLock''' is a middleware relied on a special authentication layer burned onto the disc itself. During installation, the software would verify the presence of this layer to ensure it was an original disc. '''SafeDisc''' is Similar to SecuROM, utilized disc encryption and copy protection features. It was also known for its aggressive copy protection measures, which sometimes caused conflicts with legitimate software or hardware. '''See [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Digital_rights_management_(DRM)#Middleware PCGamingWiki DRM#Middleware section]'''.
*CD-checks: Software on the disc searches for specific data patterns or physical characteristics to verify it's an original disc and not a copy.
*Dummy files: Irrelevant data files are added to the disc to confuse copying software and increase the disc size beyond its standard capacity, making it difficult to copy entirely.
*Physical errors and bad sectors: Intentional imperfections are introduced on the disc's surface to prevent reliable reading by copying tools.
;Many older software programs and games are unusable today because some of the original copy protection methods relied on activation servers that are no longer operational.
:[https://youtu.be/QZYy9KzFT2w Tech Tangents: Digital Decay Of 2000's PC Game DRM]
:[https://youtu.be/u8ltfyqD3lM MVG: SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games]
