In machine-based licensing, the computer fingerprints are used as part of the Key system. Because computer fingerprints are unique characteristics of the computer, machine-based licensing can effectively enforce the protected application to run only on a specific computer at a time. Machine-based licensing solves the problem of shareware-based licensing because the License Key is randomly generated and one-time use. The end-user cannot use the same License Key to activate the protected application on a different computer. However, machine-based licensing requires some licensing support due to the following situations. The Key files are accidentally tampered with or erased, including formatting hard drive. One of the computer hardware such as BIOS, CPU, and hard drive is changed or upgraded. These situations can be perceived as a different computer in which the protected application will require a new License Key. Our solution already includes end-user licensing support that allows the end-user to deal with these situations. The provided end-user utilities enable the end-user to easily transfer out the license before any action that may affect the Key, and restore the license when such an action is completed.
When choosing to use only hard drive fingerprints, the protected application is enforced to run only on a specific hard drive, practically on one single computer. The end-user is allowed to move the hard drive and run the protected application on a different computer.
When either or both BIOS and Ethernet adapter fingerprints are used, the protected application is strictly enforced to run only on a specific computer.
Both hard-drive specific and computer specific licenses are transferable. The end-user has freedom to use the protected application on any computer. The provided end-user utilities allow the end-user to transfer the license from one to another computer legitimately, while ensuring the enforcement of using one copy of the application at a time.
Nontransferable computer specific license has the permanent License Key tied to the computer hardware fingerprints. Since the License Key is permanent, license transfer is not allowed. A benefit of nontransferable computer specific license is that it eases end-user licensing support. Although formatting hard drive erases the Key files, the end-user can still use the same License Key to reactivate the protected application on the authorized computer. However, upgrading the computer hardware can cause the protected application to require a new License Key. A solution is to provide a limited number of replacement License Keys.