Using Blockchain Technology to Combat Global Software Piracy
Since the late 1970s, software piracy has become a serious problem, negatively impacting software developers and undermining their ability to maintain copyright over their digital creations. Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed significant advances in various computer technologies. However, developments and innovations in communication technologies have only catalyzed software piracy, making it more sophisticated by enabling high-speed delivery and increased mobility of software.
Bandwidth has been steadily increasing, allowing software to be downloaded at much higher speeds. A significant percentage of the world’s population can now download data at speeds of 100 Mbps, compared to a maximum download speed of 2.4 Kbps in 1987. The emergence of the Internet in 1993 took software piracy to a whole new level, as it allowed users to easily download or upload software from anywhere in the world.
To counteract software piracy, licensing and anti-piracy organizations have moved to online portals, providing programmers with a platform to license and distribute the software they develop. However, these methods cannot completely prevent software piracy; instead, they mainly lower the barrier to acquiring software and assist with copyright registration. Programmers who want to avoid piracy of their products must adopt their own anti-piracy strategies, which is a challenge for independent and less-experienced programmers who often cannot afford the complex and costly processes involved.
ReSOLV: Using Blockchain Technology to Fight Software Piracy
A recently published study showed that Native Blockchain Applications can be successfully used to address the problem of software piracy. The study initially tested the proof-of-concept of the “Master-Bitcoin Model” (referring to a blockchain where Bitcoin operates), but experiments demonstrated that this simplified model does not meet the full range of requirements for software licensing and copyright protection. The study then proposed a model called ReSOLV, designed to complement the classic blockchain model.
ReSOLV relies on blockchain technology and public key cryptography to enhance license confidentiality, providing additional data protection within the blockchain. ReSOLV also includes the software’s hash, a license key, and a unique digital signature for each software product.
ReSOLV has already proven capable of providing a global tool for ensuring software confidentiality and license provenance. It has demonstrated that it meets the key requirements for addressing the global software piracy problem.
What Makes This Tool Unique?
- ReSOLV is a blockchain-based software licensing method that offers a unique mechanism for protecting and distributing software data and licenses needed to verify various applications.
- Licenses will be protected from any form of copying or forgery, and programs will not run if unauthorized code modifications are attempted.
- The idea of storing the program’s installation file on the blockchain ensures the software’s security “at rest,” as the program cannot run if it was acquired illegally.
- The core idea behind the ReSOLV model is that, although software can be copied, it cannot be made operational because authorization to run it is a user-specific process based on public key cryptography.
It has already been proven that various software update mechanisms will ensure that all hashes for each authorized part of the software, as well as all subsequent updates and patches, are securely recorded on the blockchain.
Anything Else?
The study also attempted to determine the best cryptocurrency that could serve as the most suitable base for verifying software license usage. While such a currency has not yet been identified, the research showed that ReSOLV can operate on various coins without significantly affecting its effectiveness. The next challenge for researchers is to choose a cryptocurrency that will provide the highest speed and reliability for the process.