| 摘要 |
<p>A system and method are disclosed in which a key for unlocking a target software program is generated (and validated) using information about the end user of the program and/or about a target computing device of the user. The keys are generated by a registrar system, which may be implemented, for example, as an Internet server of a software seller or distributor. Registrant data is initially collected from the user, and/or from a computing device of the user, and is transmitted the registrar system. The registrant data preferably includes (1) a registrant identifier, which may be derived from or contain a username associated with the target device, a unique serial number of the target device, and/or another appropriate identifier of the user or the target device; (2) information about the user, such as the user's name and email address, and (3) a public serial number provided to the user with or in connection with the target software. When the registrar system receives a new registration request, the system initially determines whether some or all of the registrant data is valid. As part of this process, the registration system preferably determines whether the public serial number has been used a maximum number of times. If the registration information is valid, the registrar system generates and returns a key that is specific to the registrant data (and particularly the registrant identifier), and the key is installed on the target device. The target software determines whether the key is valid by determining whether the key corresponds to the registrant identifier (and possibly other registrant data).</p> |
