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Any discrepancies in the text and image of the Claims and Abstract are due to differing posting times. Text of the Claims and Abstract are posted:
(12) Patent Application: | (11) CA 2310032 |
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(54) English Title: | BIG SOFT BROTHER |
(54) French Title: | UTILITAIRE « BIG SOFT BROTHER » |
Status: | Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication |
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): |
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(72) Inventors : |
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(73) Owners : |
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(71) Applicants : |
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(74) Agent: | |
(74) Associate agent: | |
(45) Issued: | |
(22) Filed Date: | 2000-06-09 |
(41) Open to Public Inspection: | 2001-12-09 |
Availability of licence: | N/A |
Dedicated to the Public: | N/A |
(25) Language of filing: | English |
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): | No |
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(30) Application Priority Data: | None |
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Source code and method to be protected, a software application to be used both
during
installation of software programs and the running of these software
applications,
interfacing with the hardware of the recipient computer, in particular to scan
and retrieve
the MAC number (a unique part identifier associated with modems and Ethernet
cards),
in order to track illegal use, illegal installation or illegal copying of
software (as well as
registering legal use of software). Code is compiled into the install or setup
executable of
software that will copy registration files into recipient computer registries.
In addition, an
email utility will be installed onto the recipient computer. During
installation and setup of
software, the MAC identification number will be stripped from the recipient
computer
along with other innocuous information such as product serial number, ip
provider and
email addresses. Both the MAC identification number, the user return email
address, the
product serial number and the IP provider identifier will be copied into the
registration files
placed into the recipient computer's registries. In addition, an email will be
created
including the product registration numbers, the MAC identification number of
the recipient
computer, the email return address and the IP provider of the computer user,
and this
email will be addressed back to our server database maintaining the
registration and user
information. On the very next connect to the Internet or use of email, or by
utilizing a
unique port, the email registration packet will be sent to our server
maintaining the
registration and user database. Every single installation of software to a new
machine, or
a machine with a changed peripheral, utilizing our method will create and send
a
"registration" email.
An additional piece of code will be included with the utility. During the boot
up of the
computer, and periodically, this code will search for the presence of the
registration file
copied onto the recipient computer during installation. It will look for its
presences and
determine whether it has been tampered with. If it finds both registration
file, and on
comparison all information (i.e. the registration numbers, the MAC numbers,
the user
return email address, and the IP provider is identical then there is no
further action. If it
finds that the registries have been changed, it will rewrite the registry
correctly and create
another registration packet. Upon the next connection to the Internet, or the
use of email,
or through a unique port this email will be sent to our server registration
maintenance
database.
The database at our server site, managing the registration and user
information, will use
a querying method based on logic. The first email received is a valid
registration.
Subsequent installations may or may not be legitimate. Any subsequent
"registration or
installation" emails which have either incomplete data or different
information (i.e.
different MAC identification numbers and different user return email address
etc.) along
with the same product registration number is the identity of a computer with a
pirated
copy of software installed.
In addition, because of privacy concern issues from the public we have added
the ability
for software developers to choose the level of notification to users and the
transparency
of the registration collection.
Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Sorry, the representative drawing for patent document number 2310032 was not found.
2024-08-01:As part of the Next Generation Patents (NGP) transition, the Canadian Patents Database (CPD) now contains a more detailed Event History, which replicates the Event Log of our new back-office solution.
Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.
For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Event History , Maintenance Fee and Payment History should be consulted.
Description | Date |
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Inactive: IPC expired | 2022-01-01 |
Inactive: IPC expired | 2018-01-01 |
Inactive: IPC assigned | 2013-02-25 |
Inactive: IPC removed | 2013-02-25 |
Inactive: IPC removed | 2013-02-25 |
Inactive: First IPC assigned | 2013-01-04 |
Inactive: IPC removed | 2013-01-04 |
Inactive: IPC assigned | 2013-01-04 |
Inactive: IPC expired | 2013-01-01 |
Inactive: IPC removed | 2012-12-31 |
Inactive: IPC from MCD | 2006-03-12 |
Inactive: IPC from MCD | 2006-03-12 |
Inactive: IPC from MCD | 2006-03-12 |
Time Limit for Reversal Expired | 2004-06-09 |
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline | 2004-06-09 |
Inactive: Adhoc Request Documented | 2004-03-11 |
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice | 2003-06-09 |
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) | 2001-12-09 |
Inactive: Cover page published | 2001-12-09 |
Inactive: IPC assigned | 2000-07-25 |
Inactive: First IPC assigned | 2000-07-25 |
Inactive: Office letter | 2000-07-11 |
Inactive: Filing certificate - No RFE (English) | 2000-07-11 |
Filing Requirements Determined Compliant | 2000-07-11 |
Application Received - Regular National | 2000-07-10 |
Abandonment Date | Reason | Reinstatement Date |
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2003-06-09 |
The last payment was received on 2002-04-09
Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following
Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.
Fee Type | Anniversary Year | Due Date | Paid Date |
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Application fee - small | 2000-06-09 | ||
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - small | 02 | 2002-06-10 | 2002-04-09 |
Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.
Current Owners on Record |
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ANDRE J. BRISSON |
Past Owners on Record |
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None |