Method and system for decentralized manufacture of copy-controlled software

A programmable processor to authorize the use of an informational product stored on a storage medium, the informational product including a user record and operatable in a plurality of modes by the programmable processor, the operational modes comprising a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the operational modes being stored in the user record, the informational product initially operating in the evaluation mode, the programmable processor comprising:

• means for examining the user record each time the informational product is activated;
• means for determining the operational mode of the informational product as a function of the operational mode stored in the user record and the identity of the processor on which the informational product is executed;
• means for generating a registration code for a user of the informational product when the operational mode of the informational product is determined to be the evaluation mode, the registration code being a function of the identity of the programmable processor, the identity of the user and the identity of the informational product;
• means for accepting the registration code as input at a second processor;
• means for generating an authorization code at the second processor;
• means for accepting as input the authorization code;
• and
• means for performing a verification function to verify the authorization code, and if the verification is successful, changing the operational mode of the informational product to full-function mode, and thereafter storing in the informational product a user record comprising the identity of the user, the identity of the programmable processor and the operational mode.

A method to authorize and control the user of an informational product stored on a stored medium, the informational product being executed by a first processor and operatable in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, the method comprising the steps of:

• at the first processor, providing an ownership details record that includes the mode of operation of the informational product, the ownership details record being stored in the informational product;
• at the first processor, accessing an ownership details record stored in the informational product each time the informational product is activated;
• at the first processor, ascertaining if the mode of operation of the informational product is the first mode or the second mode by examining the ownership details record;
• if the mode of operation of the informational product is the second mode, enabling a user to operate all functions of the informational product at the first processor;
• and
• if the mode of operation of the informational product is the first mode, enabling the user to operate a predefined set of functions of the informational product at the first processor so as to evaluate the informational product and, if requested by the user, (i) generating, when requested by the user, a registration code at the first processor, (ii) at a second processor, accepting as input the registration code, (iii) at the second processor, allocating a unique user code to the user of the informational product, (iv) at the second processor, generating a unique authorization code, the authorization code being a function of the registration code and the user code, (v) providing the authorization code to the first processor, (vi) at the first processor, accepting as input the authorization code, (vii) at the first processor, determining the validity of the authorization code, and (viii) at the first processor, changing the mode of operation of the informational product from the first mode to the second mode if the authorization code is valid.