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European solution to the global software piracy problem
Abstract : Software piracy is on the increase. It is a major problem and
constant battle for the world's IT industry. One of the reasons for this
increase in the global piracy rate is that the Internet makes it so easy to
copy and distribute programmes. Now an IST research project has developed an
innovative software protection system that it claims will protect CD-ROMs,
DVD's and Internet software from hackers or copiers.
The ASPIS project's research also incorporates new 'watermarking' techniques
for digital image, video and audio files providing additional copyright
protection. These authentication techniques have particular relevance for
the music, software games and multimedia publishing industries - where
copyright owners are desperate to come up with new ways of preventing
illegal copying.
It is difficult to quantify the effects of illegal software. But, according
to estimates by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) , an US-based
organisation dedicated to promoting online security, 40 per cent of all
software programmes worldwide are pirated. A new report -commissioned by the
BSA and conducted by forecaster IDC - predicts that a 10 percentage-point
reduction in this rate over four years to 30 per cent by 2006, could
generate 1.5 million jobs and increase economic growth worldwide by US$400
billion.
There are several initiatives to develop technologies to help combat
software piracy. However, the ASPIS partners are confident their European
solution rivals systems under development anywhere in the international
marketplace.
'Very promising results'
Research results from the Commission-funded project are "very
promising", says project manager Nikos Zissis, based at MLS Laserlock of
Greece, an international supplier and developer of software protection
products and services. This work has already resulted in the development of
a series of innovative products. According to Zissis, this was key to the
project's success. "It wasn't just about developing a prototype. There was
already a strong demand from customers for the products," he says.
The project's main commercial partners France Telecom and MLS Laserlock are
marketing these products. The consortium also includes Belgium's Universite
Catholique de Louvain (UCL) and two Greek research institutes: the Computer
Technology Institute and the Informatics and Telematics Institute.
Researchers from France Telecom and MLS Laserlock concentrated their R&D
activities on, respectively; secure data access for the Internet and
software protection for DVD-ROM executable and data files. Meanwhile, UCL
and the two Greek research institutes focused their expertise on developing
authentication methods, based on new watermarking techniques.
A range of protective measures
Thanks to ASPIS' software protection system for a new optical disc
(DVD-ROM) standard, developed by the project partners, illegal copying of
DVDs can be prevented. The optical disc contains a unique 'protection
signature' - manufactured by a special laser glass-marking procedure -
developed by MLS Laserlock for its CD-ROM protection system. The key feature
of the new optical disc, says Zissis, is that it cannot be copied using any
commercial or industrial CDR Recording Equipment.
The project's technical advances also included the development of a secure
Internet connection - based on the extension of Conditional Access systems
for pay-TV, whereby a smart card user has access to restricted areas of a
web server. This is an advanced version of the France Telecom VIACESS system
that distributes images through the Internet to registered smart card users.
In addition, the research resulted in the development of innovative
watermarking technologies, using new algorithms and cryptography techniques,
for image, video and audio data files. By using these 'state-of-the-art '
authentication methods, hidden from illegal copiers, the aim is to provide
copyright holders with proof of copyright ownership.
The partners plan to present the new protection system at several specialist
industry fairs. France Telecom's registered VIACESS smart card users are
already benefiting from new secure Internet access features. MLS Laserlock
is also offering its customers a number of new DVD and CD-ROM protection
products incorporating key ASPIS' technologies.
ASPIS in action - Tomi demonstrates the technologies
Tomi DVD, a multimedia encyclopaedia developed by MLS Laserlock's sister
company, MLS Multimedia, is being used to demonstrate some of the ASPIS
results. It features executable file protection, data protection, and
watermarking of image, audio and video files. Firstly, explains Zissis, the
customer, i.e. the publisher, needs to protect the executable file, to
prevent the copying of the whole encyclopaedia. Secondly, the customer may
want to protect the data files. Thirdly, the customer may require
watermarking of the illustrations. "This means that even if someone,
somehow, managed to open an image file and make a copy of say, a photograph,
later on, using special detection software, we can prove copyright
ownership."
Zissis believes that participation in the project has benefited his company:
"Our customers, mainly software games' developers, were already asking for
the products. But, we couldn't have done this without the collaboration of
key partners," he says. Together they may have found a way to win the war
against piracy and keep software safe under lock and key.
Subject Descriptors : Communications networks, Information transmission
Subject Index Codes : Telecommunications, Information Processing,
Information Systems
Subject Class : IT, telecommunications
Remarks : Results entry form
Collaboration Sought : Further research or development support, Information
exchange/Training
Sources of Support : CEC
Programmes : IST
Projects : IST-1999-12554
Project Title : An Authentication and Protection Innovative Software System
for
DVDROM and Internet
Contact Details
Contact Name : ZISSIS, Nikos (Dr)
Contact Organisation : MSL Laserlock International
City : Thessaloniki
Region : VOREIA ELLADA
KENTRIKI MAKEDONIA
Thessaloniki
Country : GREECE
Telephone Number : +30-2310-907222
Fax Number : +30-2310-937222
Electronic Mailbox :
zissis@laserlock.com |
RoDI
ISOC
IWA
ARTT
RTS
WQC 2003
ISAQ 2005