Tools and techniques for original digital files

A method of analyzing authenticity and originality based in part on a physically embedded medium identifier, the method comprising the steps of automatically:

• obtaining an unmodifiable medium identifier from a computer-readable storage medium in which the unmodifiable medium identifier is physically embedded;
• reading additional data from the computer-readable storage medium;
• reading from the computer-readable storage medium a stored hash which is associated with the additional data;
• calculating a test hash based on at least the additional data and the unmodifiable medium identifier;
• and
• comparing the test hash to the stored hash.

A method of facilitating analysis of authenticity and originality based in part on a physically embedded medium identifier, the method comprising the steps of automatically:

• physically embedding an unmodifiable medium identifier in a computer-readable storage medium;
• storing user-designated data in the computer-readable storage medium;
• calculating a hash based on at least the user-designated data and the unmodifiable medium identifier;
• and
• writing the hash to the computer-readable storage medium.

A method of analyzing authenticity based in part on one or more physical locations, the method comprising the steps of:

• a calling program causing a self-extracting executable program to run;
• the self-extracting executable program attempting to authenticate data by steps which include:
• reading a claimed physical location identifier associated with the data;
• ascertaining an actual physical location of the data;
• comparing the claimed physical location identifier to the actual physical location of the data;
• and
• deeming the data authentic only if the claimed physical location identifier associated with the data matches the actual physical location of the data;
• and
• the self-extracting executable program attempting to authenticate the calling program by steps which include:
• reading a claimed physical location identifier associated with the calling program;
• ascertaining an actual physical location of the calling program;
• comparing the claimed physical location identifier to the actual physical location of the calling program;
• and
• deeming the calling program authentic only if the claimed physical location identifier associated with the calling program matches the actual physical location of the calling program.