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:*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]'''.
→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]'''.
*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.
* Some MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) games distributed on discs (like Aion, Guild Wars, and Overwatch 1) become unplayable once the game servers are shut down. The disc itself is useless. In these cases, the discs retain value only for [[Preservation_projects|historical preservation]] purposes. However some MMOs are unplayable by server shutdown, enthusiasts may create and maintain private game servers to keep the games alive unofficially. See [[Preservation projects#Private Game Servers]] section for revived private game server projects.
* Some discs require downloaded patches before you can and incompatible with offline play them (especially for [[:Category:Eighth-generation_video_game_consoles|eighth-generation]] and later consoles). In these cases, the disc itself has limited functionality, retaining value primarily for [[Preservation_projects|historical preservation]] purposes. See [https://www.doesitplay.org/ DoesItPlay.org] for more information about this.
=Emulation=
