Macrovision unwraps CD-ROM anti-piracy solution

Anti-hacking features included

Macrovision is releasing a new CD-ROM anti piracy solution, SafeDisc. The new product is designed to help software publishers regain some of the billions of dollars the industry loses to software piracy and unauthorised copying every year. SafeDisc is a software based solution that uses both a digital signature and encryption to protect CD-ROM content. The digital ID, which cannot be copied by CD recorders or mastering equipment, is embedded by the laser beam recorder at the time the CD-ROM master is made. The product also has anti-hacking features designed to deter consumer and commercial pirates from making copies. "We have successfully addressed the three critical areas needed for a viable CD-ROM copy protection solution: compatibility, effectiveness and manufacturing quality assurance," said Brian Dunn, vice president of Computer Software Copy Protection, Macrovision. SafeDisc has undergone compatibility testing with industry-leading software publishers, a group of over 400 consumers, and a major third party test facility. According to Macrovision, it achieved over 99 percent compatibility on more than 250 combinations of CD-ROM hardware models and firmware levels. ®