Sensor Technos of Tokyo is adapting the anti-theft devices used in shops to
combat illegal copying of computer software (GB 2353920). New software on CD or
DVD ROM will come in a case that has “resonance tags” bonded to its surface.
Each tag consists of an inductive coil and capacitor tuned to a fixed frequency.
Different frequencies correspond to digits, and the case can have up to 10 tags,
giving it a unique 10-digit identity code. The software will only run when the
case is placed on a sensor plate that continually reads the tag code and sends
it to the PC. Unauthorised copies won’t run because they won’t have a tagged
case.
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