SafeCast
(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: SafeCast

SafeCast is a software tool that enables publishers and resellers of software and information products to actively protect and manage control over their products. SafeCast lets you deal with your customers in the way that best suits your business and products:

Independent of the delivery media - products can be shipped on CD-ROM or downloaded from the Internet. Communication of registration and purchase information and the granting of license rights via the Internet, by telephone or fax. An advantage of the SafeCast technology is that a software-based encryption toolkit is made available to the publisher in order to allow complete control of the encryption process. It does not require professional mastering and replication and can be burned directly on gold discs. Once a publisher encrypts the gold disc they can distribute it directly to end users who are then required to contact the publisher directly or via a web site to obtain access keys to play the program. The access keys eliminate hardware dongles or other security mechanisms which often interfere with playing a particular pre-release program.

How it works?

SafeCast can be implemented as a "try and die" solution where the encrypted discs expire on a pre-determined date without any further publisher intervention. The "try and die" implementation is ideal for software sent to journalists and reviewers or other third parties who would benefit from temporary usage, but who should not be inconvenienced by security.

SafeCast operates transparently up until the time the disc expires. In a similar fashion can also be used to help implement "try before you buy" programs, allowing for controlled usage or extended demonstrations of titles prior to purchase by consumers.

Price: Not available (at website)

Does it work in real life?

In France, the well-known "Encyclopaedia Universalis 5" use this protection. We never test such CD in order to know if we can <backup> it.