more on Apple tries to patent 'tamper-resistant software']

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

lots of better prior art djf

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ben Laurie <ben () algroup co uk>
Date: November 12, 2005 8:21:22 AM EST
To: "R. A. Hettinga" <rah () shipwright com>
Cc: cryptography () metzdowd com
Subject: Re: [Clips] [dave () farber net: [IP] Apple tries to patent  
'tamper-resistant software']

R. A. Hettinga wrote:
>   In its application, Apple describes a means of securing code using
>   either a specific hardware address or read-only memory (ROM) serial
>   number. Apple also talks about securing the code while interchanging
>   information among multiple operating systems. Mac OS X, Windows and
>   Linux are called out specifically in the filing.

I'd normally suggest finding prior art for this, since its a technique
that's been in use for decades, at least, but in this case I'm quite
happy to see the whole field become a morass of patents.

>   "This invention relates generally to the field of computer data
>   processing and more particularly to techniques for creating tamper-
>   resistant software," Apple says in its patent filing. Specifically,
>   Apple refers to the technique of "code obfuscation," in which
>   software makers employ techniques that make it harder for those  
> using
>   debuggers or emulators to figure out how a particular block of code
>   is working.

Will they never learn?

--
http://www.apache-ssl.org/ben.html       http://www.thebunker.net/

"There is no limit to what a man can do or how far he can go if he
doesn't mind who gets the credit." - Robert Woodruff

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