Protect my java application from being copied (only for one pc)

Question

How do I stop someone from copying the application i am making in java in an other pc ? i want to sell it only for one pc

I am not selling it on the internet , is there any way to do that by the disk SN or using USB Flash disk SN of the client as a key for the app ?

I am using mysql as back-end for my application and the platform is Windows.

Is there a way to provide this security ?

Have you searched the web for this already? When I search I find a number of options, with the caveat that without a lot of effort/money you'll stop only the weakest of attempts. Is it really worth it? — Dave Newton, Aug 08 '12 at 17:57
Did you really create the next incarnation of MS-Word? Perhaps you should concentrate not so much on selling the software, but on selling the value of your services associated with the software. — Hovercraft Full Of Eels, Aug 08 '12 at 17:58
Well, the way Microsoft handles this is by issuing a unique CD key to each purchase/license, and then registering each installation (identified by a "system ID") against a validation server on the internet. But my suggestion to you would be to first worry about making a great product that's worth stealing, and then worry about how to implement copy protection. Also, if you're distributing MySQL with your software, I hope you've reviewed _their_ license. — Scott, Aug 08 '12 at 17:59
I feel that might be difficult because thousands of developers dedicated _lot_ of their time to specifically make portability possible. So, they might have ignored this aspect completely. — Prasanth, Aug 08 '12 at 18:00

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 08 '12 at 17:56

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Assuming the PC is connected to the internet, you could read the PC MAC address when starting the application and send a request to your server to check if that MAC address is authorised.

But that means that every time the user changes his PC you need to update your records.

answered Aug 08 '12 at 17:56

assylias

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And the MAC could be spoofed _just like that_ – Prasanth Aug 08 '12 at 17:57
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@goldenparrot If someone really wants to find his way, he will. – assylias Aug 08 '12 at 17:58
@assylias sir about the mac address , how i can test it and give the client pc an autorisation to start working ? – Adel Bachene Aug 08 '12 at 18:04
@user1417996 Have a look at [this post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33960/how-do-you-get-the-ethernet-address-using-java) to find the MAC address. And have a look at [this other one](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/307932/changing-the-mac-address-in-vista-broadcom-adapter) as to how your users could change their mac address. – assylias Aug 08 '12 at 18:07
@assylias sir who going to buy my application they don't know how to change the MAC adresse due to that i want to do it , Thank you sir – Adel Bachene Aug 08 '12 at 18:10
@assylias can i do that with the disk Serial Number ?? – Adel Bachene Aug 08 '12 at 18:11
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@user1417996 Put it simply, licensing restrictions is a never-ending fight. You better be willing to put in an endless effort into it - especially if your product is any good. – Mysticial Aug 08 '12 at 18:13
@user1417996 Have a look [at this post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5482947/how-to-get-hard-disk-serial-number-using-java). – assylias Aug 08 '12 at 18:18
@Mysticial Pffffff I want my 15 ;-) – assylias Aug 08 '12 at 18:23
@assylias: looks like you got it, congrats! – Hovercraft Full Of Eels Aug 08 '12 at 19:59
@HovercraftFullOfEels Yes Thanks! – assylias Aug 08 '12 at 20:01

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 08 '12 at 18:06

I reckon the only way you'll be able to achieve this level of control is if you move your application into a cloud-based service such as Amazon Web Services. That way, your clients have to subscribe to gain access to your application, and you can disable access if payment stops.

Protect my java application from being copied (only for one pc)

2 Answers2