System and method for preventing unauthorized installation, use and reproduction of software

A method for preventing unauthorized use of a software program installed on a computer, comprising the steps of:

• a) reading a current date from the computer and verifying that the current date corresponds to a target date defined by the software program;
• b) initiating communication between the computer and a key storage medium;
• c) verifying that file attributes of files stored on the key storage medium correspond to file attributes defined by the software program;
• and
• d) authorizing execution of the computer software by the computer.

A method for preventing unauthorized installation of computer software stored on an install storage medium, comprising the steps of:

• a) associating a character string with a volume label of a key storage medium;
• b) initiating communication between the key storage medium and a computer onto which the software is to be installed;
• c) verifying that the character string associated with the volume label of the key storage medium corresponds to a character string defined by the software contained on the install storage medium;
• and
• d) authorizing installation of the computer software from the install storage medium onto the computer.