Copy protection with binding

Binding is a method to protect software against copying and illegal distribution. In this method a link to a physical license carrier (a binding object) is embedded into the file being protected. The binding object usually has unique parameters that are difficult to copy or reproduce, for example, the geometry of the tracks on CD and DVD discs (disс protection with binding), serial numbers of the computer hardware or USB drives. Binding is used to ensure protection of CD/DVD (disc-binding) and flash devices. Binding is an effective method to protect important information.

The protected file can only work through a special application or the StarForce driver. On the one hand, they provide connection between the file and the binding object. On the other hand, both of them are securely protected against reverse engineering and modification to prevent possible hacking and the separation of the protected file from the binding object.

Types of binding

Binding type	Binding object
Personal device	Binding to software and hardware configuration of the end user’s device When the end user runs the protected product for the first time, he/she activates it with the help of a serial number that contains the product license parameters. When the end user runs the product next time, the protection system checks a certain set of the device parameters. If a lot of the parameters have changed significantly, the product does not run.
Local server	Binding to a server in the enterprise network The protected application can run from several computers in the local network at the same time. (The license specifies the number of computers.) When each of the application instances runs, it connects to the license control service that is installed on a server in the local network. The service binds to the server on the basis of binding to computer and of activation with a serial number, and monitors the number of connections.
Remote server	Binding to an activation server. The application binds to the end user who is identified by a serial number, rather than to the user’s computer. The protection system checks the license each time the protected product runs.
USB drive	Binding to USB drive parameters The application binds to the USB drive with the help of the license file that is generated during product protection. Each time the protected product runs, it checks if a USB drive with the license file is connected to the computer. If such a drive is detected, the product runs.
Optical disc	Disc-binding / Disс protection with binding Physical parameters of the licensed disc that the software is distributed on. CDs and DVDs are usually made to order. To run a protected product, the end user needs a unique disc key that the publisher provides. StarForce offers a protection option that allows the publisher to write the disc key into the disc, so that the end user does not need to enter it when he/she runs the product. For small product batches, the publisher can write the protected files to special StarForce discs.
Account number	Binding to a user’s account number in MetaTrader.
External binding object	Binding to an external function specified by the developer.

StarForce products that support several binding types

For publisher’s convenience, some of StarForce products support several binding types at the same time:

Projects that support combined bindings

Benefits for the publisher

	The publisher protects the application once only. (He/she should select combined binding during protection.) The publisher can distribute the product by various means (for example, both on USB drives and through the internet).
	For initial binding type (the default binding), the publisher creates the product installer in a standard way (without additional settings).
	For each additional binding type, the publisher creates a dedicated installer with the special option that specifies the required binding type.
	To change the binding type for the application that is already installed on the end user’s computer, the publisher should create a settings file that contains the required value for the binding, and send the file to the end user. The publisher does not need to re-protect the application.

Benefits for the end user

The end user can run the protected application even if the initial binding object (for example, the optical disc or the USB drive) is damaged.

If the end user cannot run the application with the initial binding type (for example, the optical disc or the USB drive is damaged), the publisher can send the end user the settings file that contains a new value for the binding (for example, for binding to computer). The end user runs this file, and the application works. The end user does not need to re-install the application.

Depending on the new binding type, the publisher should also provide the end user with:

	An optical disc with the product installation kit and a disc key (for binding to disc), or
	A USB drive with the license file (for binding to USB drive), or
	A serial number with the required parameters (for binding to computer, local server or remote server).

Request for protection with combined bindings

Please fill out the form to leave a request for protection of your product with ability of combined bindings.

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