"Copy protection" refers to measures or mechanisms designed to prevent or restrict unauthorized duplication or distribution of digital content such as software, music, videos, or books. The main goal of copy protection is to protect the rights of the author or publisher and ensure that the content can only be used by authorized users.
Typical features of software in the area of "copy protection" include:
Content encryption: The software encrypts digital content to ensure that it cannot be opened, copied, or modified without authorization.
Digital watermarks: Some copy protection systems insert digital watermarks into the content to mark their origin and enable tracking of unlawfully distributed copies.
Licensing and activation: The software provides mechanisms for licensing and activation, where the user must purchase a license to use the content, and the software performs a license or activation check to ensure that usage is authorized.
Hardware-based copy protection mechanisms: Some copy protection systems use special hardware components such as dongles or security modules to control and monitor access to the protected content.
Restriction of copying operations: The software may include features to prevent or restrict copying or extraction of content, such as blocking copy and paste operations or limiting the number of copies that can be created.
Online monitoring and reporting: Some copy protection systems monitor and log the usage of protected content online to detect and report unauthorized copying operations.
Compatibility with various platforms and devices: The software is compatible with various operating systems, devices, and platforms to ensure that copy protection is effective regardless of how the content is used.