Windows Vista Forums

Document Copy Protection
  1. #1


    AG Guest

    Document Copy Protection

    My client has a Word 2007 doc and an Excel 2007 workbook with highly
    specialized content that he has developed.

    Each is copied to his clients' machines for their use under a license
    agreement.

    He would like to invoke some type of protection to prevent the files from
    being copied/used elsewhere.

    Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't there is any way to do that.

    My thought was to embed each file into an exe and set up some type of
    'activation'.

    Can anyone tell me if this can be done?

    Any other thoughts?

    Thanks for any assisstance.

    --

    AG
    Email: npATadhdataDOTcom






      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    Cor Ligthert[MVP] Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    A normal way to do this is put them in a Rar or Zip file with a password.
    Both WinRar and WinZip have those possibilities.

    Be aware however that very many crack programs to decode the password in
    this area.

    There was once a company which for their own licenses had bounded anything
    to the hard disk.
    They used the hard disk information from the 10Mb IBM disk, it did not work
    on any other disk.

    They went bankrupt years ago.

    Cor

    "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:uo0apQExJHA.4636@xxxxxx

    > My client has a Word 2007 doc and an Excel 2007 workbook with highly
    > specialized content that he has developed.
    >
    > Each is copied to his clients' machines for their use under a license
    > agreement.
    >
    > He would like to invoke some type of protection to prevent the files from
    > being copied/used elsewhere.
    >
    > Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't there is any way to do that.
    >
    > My thought was to embed each file into an exe and set up some type of
    > 'activation'.
    >
    > Can anyone tell me if this can be done?
    >
    > Any other thoughts?
    >
    > Thanks for any assisstance.
    >
    > --
    >
    > AG
    > Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >
    >
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    AG Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Cor,

    Thanks for the quick reply.

    Password protecting a zip or rar would only stop someone from extracting the
    files without the password. It would not stop them from using the extracted
    files on multiple machines or passing to someone else.

    I was rushed earlier so, forgot to mention, that the license agreement must
    be renewed every year. So, I also need something that will not allow the
    files to be viewed after one year if the license is not renewed.
    --

    AG
    Email: npATadhdataDOTcom


    "Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <Notmyfirstname@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:OeYrQ2ExJHA.5684@xxxxxx

    >A normal way to do this is put them in a Rar or Zip file with a password.
    > Both WinRar and WinZip have those possibilities.
    >
    > Be aware however that very many crack programs to decode the password in
    > this area.
    >
    > There was once a company which for their own licenses had bounded anything
    > to the hard disk.
    > They used the hard disk information from the 10Mb IBM disk, it did not
    > work on any other disk.
    >
    > They went bankrupt years ago.
    >
    > Cor
    >
    > "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:uo0apQExJHA.4636@xxxxxx

    >> My client has a Word 2007 doc and an Excel 2007 workbook with highly
    >> specialized content that he has developed.
    >>
    >> Each is copied to his clients' machines for their use under a license
    >> agreement.
    >>
    >> He would like to invoke some type of protection to prevent the files from
    >> being copied/used elsewhere.
    >>
    >> Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't there is any way to do that.
    >>
    >> My thought was to embed each file into an exe and set up some type of
    >> 'activation'.
    >>
    >> Can anyone tell me if this can be done?
    >>
    >> Any other thoughts?
    >>
    >> Thanks for any assisstance.
    >>
    >> --
    >>
    >> AG
    >> Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    Cor Ligthert[MVP] Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    AG,

    I don't think that there is any solution for your problem.

    Everything can be copied all was it simple with the copy, cut or the
    snipping tool.

    Many have tried things what you ask, I never have heard or seen any
    solution.

    Cor

    "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:%23oKHvrHxJHA.3364@xxxxxx

    > Cor,
    >
    > Thanks for the quick reply.
    >
    > Password protecting a zip or rar would only stop someone from extracting
    > the files without the password. It would not stop them from using the
    > extracted files on multiple machines or passing to someone else.
    >
    > I was rushed earlier so, forgot to mention, that the license agreement
    > must be renewed every year. So, I also need something that will not allow
    > the files to be viewed after one year if the license is not renewed.
    > --
    >
    > AG
    > Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >
    >
    > "Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <Notmyfirstname@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:OeYrQ2ExJHA.5684@xxxxxx

    >>A normal way to do this is put them in a Rar or Zip file with a password.
    >> Both WinRar and WinZip have those possibilities.
    >>
    >> Be aware however that very many crack programs to decode the password in
    >> this area.
    >>
    >> There was once a company which for their own licenses had bounded
    >> anything to the hard disk.
    >> They used the hard disk information from the 10Mb IBM disk, it did not
    >> work on any other disk.
    >>
    >> They went bankrupt years ago.
    >>
    >> Cor
    >>
    >> "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    >> news:uo0apQExJHA.4636@xxxxxx

    >>> My client has a Word 2007 doc and an Excel 2007 workbook with highly
    >>> specialized content that he has developed.
    >>>
    >>> Each is copied to his clients' machines for their use under a license
    >>> agreement.
    >>>
    >>> He would like to invoke some type of protection to prevent the files
    >>> from being copied/used elsewhere.
    >>>
    >>> Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't there is any way to do
    >>> that.
    >>>
    >>> My thought was to embed each file into an exe and set up some type of
    >>> 'activation'.
    >>>
    >>> Can anyone tell me if this can be done?
    >>>
    >>> Any other thoughts?
    >>>
    >>> Thanks for any assisstance.
    >>>
    >>> --
    >>>
    >>> AG
    >>> Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>
    >
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    AG Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Thanks for the reply Cor.
    What about embedding the doc into an exe as a resource?
    Is there a way to do that and therefore only display it within the exe?
    I haven't done much with Windows apps, but I am thinking that there might be
    a control that would 'host' a Word doc and another for Excel workbook.
    I could then set up some kind of activation process.

    --

    AG
    Email: npATadhdataDOTcom


    "Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <Notmyfirstname@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:eNhL8WJxJHA.4324@xxxxxx

    > AG,
    >
    > I don't think that there is any solution for your problem.
    >
    > Everything can be copied all was it simple with the copy, cut or the
    > snipping tool.
    >
    > Many have tried things what you ask, I never have heard or seen any
    > solution.
    >
    > Cor
    >
    > "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:%23oKHvrHxJHA.3364@xxxxxx

    >> Cor,
    >>
    >> Thanks for the quick reply.
    >>
    >> Password protecting a zip or rar would only stop someone from extracting
    >> the files without the password. It would not stop them from using the
    >> extracted files on multiple machines or passing to someone else.
    >>
    >> I was rushed earlier so, forgot to mention, that the license agreement
    >> must be renewed every year. So, I also need something that will not allow
    >> the files to be viewed after one year if the license is not renewed.
    >> --
    >>
    >> AG
    >> Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >>
    >>
    >> "Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <Notmyfirstname@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    >> news:OeYrQ2ExJHA.5684@xxxxxx

    >>>A normal way to do this is put them in a Rar or Zip file with a password.
    >>> Both WinRar and WinZip have those possibilities.
    >>>
    >>> Be aware however that very many crack programs to decode the password in
    >>> this area.
    >>>
    >>> There was once a company which for their own licenses had bounded
    >>> anything to the hard disk.
    >>> They used the hard disk information from the 10Mb IBM disk, it did not
    >>> work on any other disk.
    >>>
    >>> They went bankrupt years ago.
    >>>
    >>> Cor
    >>>
    >>> "AG" <NOSPAMagiamb@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    >>> news:uo0apQExJHA.4636@xxxxxx
    >>>> My client has a Word 2007 doc and an Excel 2007 workbook with highly
    >>>> specialized content that he has developed.
    >>>>
    >>>> Each is copied to his clients' machines for their use under a license
    >>>> agreement.
    >>>>
    >>>> He would like to invoke some type of protection to prevent the files
    >>>> from being copied/used elsewhere.
    >>>>
    >>>> Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't there is any way to do
    >>>> that.
    >>>>
    >>>> My thought was to embed each file into an exe and set up some type of
    >>>> 'activation'.
    >>>>
    >>>> Can anyone tell me if this can be done?
    >>>>
    >>>> Any other thoughts?
    >>>>
    >>>> Thanks for any assisstance.
    >>>>
    >>>> --
    >>>>
    >>>> AG
    >>>> Email: npATadhdataDOTcom
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>
    >>
    >>
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    Jie Wang [MSFT] Guest

    RE: Document Copy Protection

    Hi AG,

    Since I don't have much information about detailed requirements & user
    scenarios, I'm not sure whether or not the IRM (Information Rights
    Management) can fit in here.

    The IRM can use not only just the domain credential to control the document
    rights (read, write, copy, print, expiration, etc.), it can also use
    Windows Live ID (formerly .NET Passport) to decide whether the owner of
    that ID have specific rights to the document. This might be very useful to
    target audiences who are out there without a domain network restriction.

    If you're interested in this solution, you may want to learn more from this
    page:
    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...801361033.aspx

    Regards,

    Jie Wang (jiewan@xxxxxx, remove 'online.')

    Microsoft Online Community Support

    Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
    suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
    feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
    provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
    msdnmg@xxxxxx.

    ==================================================
    Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs...#notifications.

    Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
    where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
    Engineer within 2 business days is acceptable. Please note that each follow
    up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
    professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
    most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
    that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
    nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer
    by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs.../aa948874.aspx
    ==================================================
    This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #7


    Cor Ligthert[MVP] Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Hi Wang,

    Looks nice, I did not know this, maybe I should not have answered this in
    developers newsgroup.

    But seems me very interesting for the client, I was writing earlier about
    making something like this, when I realized myself that this does not
    prevent stealing using the Snipping Tool and therefore I did not sent that
    message, but even that seems to protected using this solution.

    Cor

    ""Jie Wang [MSFT]"" <jiewan@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:HBTXQ5NxJHA.1636@xxxxxx

    > Hi AG,
    >
    > Since I don't have much information about detailed requirements & user
    > scenarios, I'm not sure whether or not the IRM (Information Rights
    > Management) can fit in here.
    >
    > The IRM can use not only just the domain credential to control the
    > document
    > rights (read, write, copy, print, expiration, etc.), it can also use
    > Windows Live ID (formerly .NET Passport) to decide whether the owner of
    > that ID have specific rights to the document. This might be very useful to
    > target audiences who are out there without a domain network restriction.
    >
    > If you're interested in this solution, you may want to learn more from
    > this
    > page:
    > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...801361033.aspx
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    > Jie Wang (jiewan@xxxxxx, remove 'online.')
    >
    > Microsoft Online Community Support
    >
    > Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
    > suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
    > feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
    > provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
    > msdnmg@xxxxxx.
    >
    > ==================================================
    > Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
    > http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs...#notifications.
    >
    > Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
    > where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
    > Engineer within 2 business days is acceptable. Please note that each
    > follow
    > up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
    > professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
    > most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
    > that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
    > nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support
    > Engineer
    > by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
    > http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs.../aa948874.aspx
    > ==================================================
    > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
    > rights.
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #8


    AG Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Jie,

    Thanks for the reply.

    That looks like a great tool. I had never heard of it either.
    One big problem for this application (sorry I failed to mention), though.
    Many of the 'users' would not have internet access.

    What about embedding the doc into an exe as a resource?
    Is there a way to do that and therefore only display it within the exe?
    I haven't done much with Windows apps, but I am thinking that there might be
    a control that would 'host' a Word doc and another for Excel workbook.
    I could then set up some kind of activation process, which could also be
    completed via phone.

    --

    AG
    Email: npATadhdataDOTcom


    ""Jie Wang [MSFT]"" <jiewan@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:HBTXQ5NxJHA.1636@xxxxxx

    > Hi AG,
    >
    > Since I don't have much information about detailed requirements & user
    > scenarios, I'm not sure whether or not the IRM (Information Rights
    > Management) can fit in here.
    >
    > The IRM can use not only just the domain credential to control the
    > document
    > rights (read, write, copy, print, expiration, etc.), it can also use
    > Windows Live ID (formerly .NET Passport) to decide whether the owner of
    > that ID have specific rights to the document. This might be very useful to
    > target audiences who are out there without a domain network restriction.
    >
    > If you're interested in this solution, you may want to learn more from
    > this
    > page:
    > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...801361033.aspx
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    > Jie Wang (jiewan@xxxxxx, remove 'online.')
    >
    > Microsoft Online Community Support
    >
    > Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
    > suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
    > feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
    > provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
    > msdnmg@xxxxxx.
    >
    > ==================================================
    > Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
    > http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs...#notifications.
    >
    > Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
    > where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
    > Engineer within 2 business days is acceptable. Please note that each
    > follow
    > up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
    > professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
    > most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
    > that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
    > nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support
    > Engineer
    > by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
    > http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs.../aa948874.aspx
    > ==================================================
    > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
    > rights.
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  9. #9


    Jie Wang [MSFT] Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Hi AG,

    About embedding the doc into an EXE:

    I'm not aware of any methods to make Word/Excel to open a document without
    a file on the file system. So it looks like we'll have to write a copy of
    the file onto the file system before displaying it.

    For control that can 'host' Office documents, you may want to take a look
    at this one:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311765

    Regards,

    Jie Wang (jiewan@xxxxxx, remove 'online.')

    Microsoft Online Community Support

    Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
    suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
    feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
    provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
    msdnmg@xxxxxx.

    ==================================================
    Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs...#notifications.

    Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
    where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
    Engineer within 2 business days is acceptable. Please note that each follow
    up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
    professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
    most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
    that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
    nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer
    by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs.../aa948874.aspx
    ==================================================
    This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  10. #10


    Jie Wang [MSFT] Guest

    Re: Document Copy Protection

    Hi Cor,

    Actually you're right, we cannot prevent a determined person from stealing
    the contents.

    Once the content is finally displayed on the screen, the content is no
    longer protected. Snipping tool, Print Screen, a camera, pen & paper, good
    memory with a big brain, all will do it. Not to mention memory dump or even
    rip it out of the page file.

    It just a matter of how long we can hold him/her off.

    Regards,

    Jie Wang (jiewan@xxxxxx, remove 'online.')

    Microsoft Online Community Support

    Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your comments and
    suggestions about how we can improve the support we provide to you. Please
    feel free to let my manager know what you think of the level of service
    provided. You can send feedback directly to my manager at:
    msdnmg@xxxxxx.

    ==================================================
    Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs...#notifications.

    Note: MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for non-urgent issues
    where an initial response from the community or a Microsoft Support
    Engineer within 2 business days is acceptable. Please note that each follow
    up response may take approximately 2 business days as the support
    professional working with you may need further investigation to reach the
    most efficient resolution. The offering is not appropriate for situations
    that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions. Issues of this
    nature are best handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer
    by contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subs.../aa948874.aspx
    ==================================================
    This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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