copy protection
Anti-duplication security measures
Copy protection refers to technical measures that prevent unauthorized duplication of digital media—software, music, films, video games.
Methods range from encryption to hardware dongles to online authentication.
The term often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting inconvenience to legitimate users: The copy protection on this game requires an internet connection even for single-player mode.
Digital content restriction technology
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- encryptionConverting data into code
- serial numberUnique alphanumeric product identifier
- product keyCode unlocking licensed software
license key · dongle · region lock · digital signature · authentication · obfuscation · scrambling · tamper-proof
Software activation code
Narrow break or attempt
- keygenLicense code generator
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
bypass · patch · warez · torrent · ripping · jailbreak · emulator · circumvention
Formal grant of permission
- EULASoftware license abbreviation
- intellectual propertyLegal rights over inventions
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
fair use · infringement · piracy · royalty · proprietary · usage rights · compliance · DMCA
DRM
Digital content restriction technology
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- encryptionConverting data into code
- serial numberUnique alphanumeric product identifier
product key · license key · dongle · region lock · digital signature · authentication · obfuscation · scrambling · tamper-proof · fingerprinting
CD key
Software activation code
crack
Narrow break or attempt
counterfeit · bypass · patch · warez · torrent · ripping · jailbreak · emulator · circumvention
license
Formal grant of permission
- EULASoftware license abbreviation
- intellectual propertyLegal rights over inventions
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
trademark · fair use · infringement · piracy · royalty · proprietary · usage rights · compliance · DMCA · terms of service
- access restrictionspassword, paywall, login wall, geo-block, IP ban
- Data Securityencryption key, data security, password, passwords, data leak
- digital copyrightDRM, DMCA, digital rights, infringement, fair use
- VHSVHS, VHS tape, videotape, VCR, rewind
- copy protectionDRM, digital rights, digital watermark, CSS, access control
- copyrightinfringement, public domain, fair use, reproduction rights, exclusive rights
copy protectionpublic domain
Unprotected creative works
open access · copyable · unprotected · unlocked · unencrypted
copy protectionopen source
Publicly accessible code
copyleft · Creative Commons · free software · freeware · shareware
copy, protect, protection, protected, protective, protector, protecting, copier, copyright