From: Tim Philp <tphilp@bfree.on.ca>
Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 06:17:56 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: CCC Crypto Lock
Message-ID: <19004146800633@bfree.on.ca>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


The fact that this patent was issued indicates to me that the patent office
does not understand computer technology. There is nothing new here that I
was not using for other purposes at least 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, once a patent is issued, it cost a great deal of money to break.

Tim Philp


At 04:10 AM 7/6/96 -0700, you wrote:
>MicroPatent, 4 July 96
> 
> 
>Systems and methods for protecting software from 
>unlicensed copying and use (Assignee -- Convex Computer 
>Corporation) 
> 
> 
>Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods for protecting a 
>software program from unauthorized use and copying 
>through the removal at least one of a plurality of 
>instructions comprising a software program, and 
>encrypting the removed instruction utilizing an 
>encryption algorithm to produce an encrypted instruction, 
>the encryption algorithm responsive to a randomly 
>generated key. 
> 
>Ex Claim Text: A processing system for protecting a 
>software program from unauthorized use, said software 
>program including one or more unencrypted instructions 
>stored in memory associated with said software program, 
>said processing system comprising: a processing unit 
>operable to: remove at least one selected said 
>unencrypted instruction from an executable area in said 
>memory associated with executable portions of said 
>program; encrypt said at least one selected unencrypted 
>instruction removed from said software program utilizing 
>an encryption algorithm to produce an encrypted 
>instruction; store said encrypted instruction within a 
>first non-executable data area in said memory associated 
>with said software program; and insert at least one 
>trappable instruction in place of said encrypted 
>instruction within said executable area in memory 
>allowing said software program to be linked with one or 
>more other programs. 
> 
>Assignee: Convex Computer Corporation 
> 
>Patent Number: 5530752 
> 
>Issue Date: 1996 06 25 
> 
>Inventor(s): Rubin, Robert J. 
> 
>If you would like to purchase a copy of this patent, 
>please call MicroPatent at 800-984-9800.  
> 
>Copyright 1996, MicroPatent 
> 
>