CD Protection Overview

Review Pages

1. OverView
2. CD Protections
3. Cactus Data Shield
4. CD-Cops
5. DiscGuard
6. LaserLock
7. LockBlocks
8. MusicGuard
9. ProtectCD
10. SafeCast
11. SafeDisc
12. SafeDisc 2
13. SecuROM
14. The Copy-Protected CD & The Bongle
15. CD Protections using other means to "protect" the CD
16. Console CD protection
17. Other Recources

LaserLock
(MLS LaserLock International)

History

MLS LaserLock International is an innovative company specialized in Research & Development of software protection products & services. The company was founded in 1989, in Thessaloniki Greece, for the purpose of Research & Development in Information Technology and Software Protection Systems. MLS LaserLock International is the first company to ever develop a Complete Software Copy Protection System especially for CD-ROM. LaserLock has been increasingly gaining worldwide acceptance since its very successful emergence in the international market, over 4 years ago.

Product: LaserLock

LaserLock is a product that provides CD-ROM anti-copy security and integrates many protection modules (single and/or networked applications, LANs, Demos, Mixed-mode CDs, Hybrid-mode CDs, etc.) under a variety of operating platforms (Windows v3.xx, Windows 9x, Windows NT, DOS, etc.).

LaserLock uses a combination of encryption software and unique laser marking on the CD surface made during the special LaserLock glass mastering procedure, in order to make copying virtually impossible. Every CD-ROM application has a unique locking parameter that provides a complete protection against illegal re-mastering and reproduction.

LaserLock consists of the following combination:

Sophisticated Code Encryption software
Physical Signature on CD, made during a unique and special glass-mastering process
Debug Prevention software engineering embedded in the s/w code

How it works?

Step	Description	Input	Output	Duration
No 1	Complete the "Application Description" Form A1 & "LaserLock Order" Form 2 and return them along with the original master CD-R to your closest authorized LaserLock provider.	Application	Form A1, Form 2 & CD-R	No more than a few minutes
No 2	According to the "Application Description", MLS will prepare a certain set of files and libraries that will be used to implement LaserLock coding into your application.	Form A1 & CD-R	Set of files and libraries	No more than �-1 hours
No 3	Highly trained software engineers will implement and link the LaserLock code into your application. The creation of a new CD-R, containing the complete application with the LaserLock code embedded, will be completed.	Set of files and libraries	New CD-R	No more than 2-3 hours
No 4	You will then receive five (5) silvers for your own testing. Upon your approval, you will receive either the final product or the LaserLock stampers in order to proceed to mass pressing at a factory of your choice.	New CD-R	Final product or stampers	No more than the usual time needed

The system requirements shown below, must be fulfilled in order for MLS to carry out the LaserLock implementation for you:

The main executable file(s) to be protected should preferably be in 32-bit format; should the main executable file(s) be in 16-bit format, please contact our technical department for further instructions.
- If a setup utility is used to expand and copy the compressed main executable file(s) onto the HDD, please ascertain that full access to the uncompressed main executable file(s) is provided.

The LaserLock system occupies between 12 to 20 MB of disc space, depending on the specifications of the application to be protected. Please ensure that at least 20 MB of free space are available on the gold master CD-R.

Price: Not available (at website)

How to recognize it

There is always a hidden directory called "LaserLock" at the root of the CD, this directory usually contains few files that are full of unreadable sector. Moreover , a little thin circle containing theses unreadable sectors can be seen on the CD.

Does it work in real life?

Not really...CloneCD can copy this protection entirely. ;)