CodeMeter Protection Suite
Windows, macOS,
Linux
Native Code .NET Java
Windows, macOS,
Linux, Android .NET Framework,
.NET Standard Java SE, Java EE
Android, Linux
Encryption of
Individual Functions
IxProtector
IP Protection
IxProtector
IxProtector CmE
Individual License Checks
AxProtector
AxProtector
IP Protection
AxProtector .NET
AxProtector Java
Integrity Protection
(Tamper Protection)
Anti-Debug Methods
AxProtector CmE
Automatic Protection
(IP Protection)
Automatic License Checks
CodeMeter
Runtime
users from copying applications outright – a
feature, not a bug, when the specific use case
of free trial versions or freemium models
are concerned. With the encryption working
without needing a license, the application is
practically self-contained, making this type of
protection a very user-friendly choice indeed.
Freemium application in 3D
printing
A typical example would be software for
processing 3D printing data: The application
is delivered with the full feature set, but
artificially restricted to producing objects
with a maximum size of 20mm. The users
can download the software, test its features,
copy it freely, and even print miniature
products. However, as the entire application
is fully encrypted, they would not be able
to remove the restriction in order to enjoy
the full potential of the software. Payment
– be it by traditional means or via an in-app
purchase – is the gatekeeper for getting the
full, unrestricted functionality. This is where
CodeMeter Runtime or CodeMeter Embedded
can come into the picture. The users are given
the right licenses, stored on a CmDongle, a
computer-bound soft CmActLicense, or a user-
bound CmCloudContainer. The license in the
CmContainer deactivates the restriction in the
free software, be it an artificial size limit or
the ability to save, print, or export works (or
whatever restriction on the full use could be
imagined). This is done with CodeMeter Core
API that allows the software developer to use
CodeMeter
Embedded
CodeMeter
Runtime
CodeMeter
Runtime
CodeMeter Variant Used
specific functions in the CodeMeter licensing
system, not just simple license checks, but also
specialized options like time or volume-bound
licenses or the assignment of network licenses.
The developer could even integrate the trans-
fer of licenses into the CmContainer via the
API, e.g. to automatically retrieve licenses
from CodeMeter License Central upon pur-
chase from an online store or in-app purchase. Continuous development and
improvement
Combination with existing
licensing solutions CodeMeter Embedded sometimes encounters
version conflicts when using a combination of
CodeMeter Core API and CodeMeter Protec-
tion Suite. The IP Protection mode has stepped
into the breach to simplify the situation: For
high-security use cases, where licenses would
be kept on a CmDongle, it is still possible to
use CodeMeter Core API in combination with
CodeMeter Protection Suite with license-bound
encryption.
There are opportunities for other use cases,
such as combining an established licensing
system with the reliable IP protection capabil-
ities of CodeMeter. Imagine a software devel-
oper who already has a homegrown licensing
setup in place. However, the developer’s work,
the binaries, are sold to users in unencrypted
form, making them easy prey for manipulation
and reverse engineering. Solutions of this type
that forego encryption and signature checks
make it relatively easy to “patch away” the
licensing checks – to manipulate the code to
either skip the entire check or to keep working
with a standard value. This circumvents the
whole point of the licensing system. CodeMeter
Protection Suite IP Protection naturally also
works with other purely software-based, com-
mercial protection systems; it can raise the bar
significantly for any attempted breaches or
reverse engineering. This is a favorite choice
for developers migrating to the full CodeMeter
setup, but still want their old licensing systems
in place for a while.
Most users of CodeMeter will be familiar with
protection only licenses. They work not unlike
CodeMeter Protection Suite IP Protection, but
require a version of CodeMeter Runtime
installed with admin rights. This could pose a
problem for B2B users working with trial soft-
ware or some freemium offerings.
CodeMeter Protection Suite IP Protection
makes protecting software and introducing
new business models a simple and pleasurable
experience for software developers and their
users alike. It was designed from the outset
to work across PC and embedded platforms
and to scale alongside the capabilities of
CodeMeter Core API and the needs of devel-
opers. As loyal fans have come to expect from
Wibu-Systems, all CodeMeter modules are
fully compatible with each other and deliver
an optimal, fully rounded software protection
and licensing experience.
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