| a routine that is included in a program by its publisher to prevent the software from being duplicated except for a single backup copy. |
| copy protection n. A means of preventing the illegal or unauthorized copying of a software product, especially a preventive routine that is incorporated into a copyrighted program. cop'y-pro·tect'ed (kŏp'ē-prə-těk'tĭd) adj. |
copy protection
A class of methods for preventing incompetent pirates from stealing software and legitimate customers from using it. Considered silly.
[The Jargon File]