SafeDisc
(C-Dilla)

History

C-Dilla Limited is a UK based Technology Company specializing in applications based around content protection and secure transactions for digital media. This includes copy protection for CD-ROM and DVD technologies; secure transmission of data and applications from Web sites; and financial transaction clearing across the Internet.

Product: SafeDisc

SafeDisc is designed to prevent CD-ROM based software being stolen by copying to either a hard disk, a "Gold" CD using a CD writer or professional remastering to a silver CD. Use the CD as a "key disk" so the original CD must be present in the drive for the software to run.

How it works?

The SafeDisc is comprised of three key features: (1) an authenticating digital signature, (2) encryption that protects the content, and (3) anti-hacking software.

During premastering, the content is encrypted and carries with it authentication instructions. A unique digital signature is subsequently added to the title during mastering. When a user plays an original disc, the authentication software reads the digital signature allowing the program to be decrypted and to play normally. This authentication process is transparent to the user. The original CD must be present in the CD-ROM drive to allow the authentication to occur.

When attempting to make an unauthorized copy with a CD-R or with professional mastering equipment, the digital signature is not transferred to the copy. When an unauthorized copy is played back, the absence of the signature will prevent decryption of the program and the copy will not play..

SafeDisc also includes anti-hacking technology that prevents the compromise of its security features. The anti-hacking technology is designed to not only deter casual copying, but also to provide strong resistance to destructive hackers and commercial pirates.

SAFEDISC is designed to work with standard premastering,mastering, and replication processes. During premastering, the publishers' content is encrypted using a simple software toolkit. The encrypted content is then transferred to the Gold Disc in the usual manner.

At the mastering stage, the digital signature is added to the Glass Master using a Laser Beam recorder controlled by Doug Carson Associates(DCA) Mastering Interface Software (MIS). DCA is the leading mastering software supplier on the market today. The replicator then produces the required quantity of CD-ROMs and performs signal and data verification testing.

Price: Not available (at website)

How to recognize it

This protection is very visible in 2 ways:
- every CD protected will always have at least a file called "0000001.tmp" and most of the time also these files : clocksp.exe , .iCD file , CLCD16.DLL, CLCD32.DLL. File named "clocksp.exe" also have specific icon.
- This type of CD includes lots of unreadable error . It usually have about 10000 unreadable sectors (usually start at sector 800+ and end at 10000+, see test for details) which represents about 20 Mb in fact.

Does it work in real life?

Not so good as C-Dilla would like... CloneCD can handle this protection and make an <backup> of your favorite CD. There are also several tools which can play copies of SafeDisc CDs without needed to use CloneCD. You can find them over here ..