Some protection methods can’t/shouldn’t prevent copying at all, but try to make it pointless. These include password prompts, serial numbers, dongles (without a dongle, the copy won’t work; sometimes even some of the program code is stored on the dongle), hardware-based licenses for software (these contain data from the computer to which they are intended to apply as a method of protection; this data is checked at the start of the program so that the license cannot be used on another computer with different data), and region codes for DVDs and Blu-ray discs (the Discs will only run in players with a matching region code; in the case of Blu-rays, it is even possible to query a “country code” so that, for example, a US disc cannot be played in Japan and vice versa, even though both countries are in the same Blu-ray region).
Regionalized activation of software and devices
Kaspersky Lab uses regionalized activation codes for its antivirus programs (e.g., a U.S. code does not work in Germany and vice versa), partly to make it more difficult to trade pirated content internationally, partly because the programs are sold at different prices in different regions. Once activated, however, the software can be used anywhere. Problems can arise if the license needs to be renewed or the software needs to be reinstalled in a different region than the one for which you purchased the license. The region is detected by the IP address, so an internet connection is required to activate.
A number of computer games also have a regionalized activation.
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Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones sold in America and Europe must be activated by a local SIM card, but can then be used in other regions as well. The regionalised activation is intended to prevent grey imports.
Region-locked credit cards
Some credit cards can be blocked for certain regions of the world as protection against theft and misuse abroad. If the cardholder wants to travel abroad and use the card there, the block for the region in question can be lifted for a short time.
Storage of biometric data to protect against document misuse
In ID cards, passports, sometimes also in non-transferable season tickets and credit cards, biometric features of the holder (e.g. fingerprints, iris patterns) may be stored as protection against misuse.
