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PHP License Key System?


Demonic

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Really urgent.

 

Im not sure how this works. But I really need to know how I can check a users licence (when installed on there server[mysoftware]). I can't use CURL since not every host uses it. So is there an alternative to get information from peoples site to check if there site is valid?

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Please, can you try and form a proper question? Explain what it is your hoping to achieve and what parts exactly you are stuck on.

 

At the monent you are making seemingly random comments.

 

Start with your definition of a 'PHP License Key System'.

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Definition of a "PHP License Key System":

 

Is a system that contains a licence when buying a product from a software. And is being able to be checked to see if the licence is valid in any shape or form.

 

Examples of this: IPB Forum software Licence,vBulletin Licence.

 

What im trying to do is find out a way to add a "PHP License Key System" to my software so i can check if they have bought the software and if its not stolen(wares) so I can keep a stable buisness.

 

Q.:What is the easiest way to do this?

(ill check this in 6 hours so ill give you feedback when i get back)Thanks again for helping.

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So... basicaly, you want a system that will post some infomation to your server when your application is being installed? Without using curl?

 

A few methods, all of which will depend on your clients server settings.

 

1/ Curl, which Ive seen you rule out.

2/ Would be simply to setup some variables to hold the licensing infomation and then include() a file from your server to store this data, pretty unreliable and also relies on url wrappers tro be enabled.

3/ You could also use sockets to send the request.

4/ You could use the mail() function to send an email to yourself.

 

Of course all 4 of these options rely on some setting on the client. Nothing you can do about that. In any case, the client has your source code so could quite easily just write this out of the process anyway.

 

Your best option is to get a good license and a lawyer.

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Trust me, if Curl isn't available sockets wont be either. And sorry, but no, I haven't any tutorials on the subject.

I found something out that you might not have thought of :D.

 

Most servers who has the ability to have Cpanel and Fantastico to use PHPBB has the ability to use CURL and thats like 98% out of 100 that does :D.

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  • 6 years later...

Encrypting your source code is slow. An hacker is still able to retrieve the decrypted code or able to generate a license key or re-use an existing key multiple times.

 

Encrypting your source code also has other issues, like how will you provide support when they need it, unless you have some extreme logging in your code this will be hard to do, and you can't install an decrypted version on their system.

 

Developing new features has the same problem. It's ok if everything runs smooth, but if something fails, you lose a customer. So in essence encrypting your software makes you lose business instead of gaining.

 

Therefor it is up to you as a businessmen to think of a way that will provide you repeat business and happy customers without having to resort to techniques that are threats to your business.

 

Like for example provide a lightweight version of your product for free. Customers wishing additional features, can buy these from your website, you can even allow 3rd party developers participate, and let them sell these through your website, taking a percentage on each sale.

 

Aggressive methods will make your customers run away from you instead of towards you.

 

If you are developing this for a customer, and my arguments don't stick. Then you are gonna have to clearly define what the software will do when an invalid/expired license key is entered.

 

If you lock down your system like the above mentioned script does, none of your customers is gonna like this (and probably either sue you or leave), that they can't access THEIR data and their website is offline because the license key expired at 2am... (they are gonna raise their middle finger to the screen while they press [del] in their ftp client).

 

So at the very basic level you'll need a working lightweight version of your software, that allows exporting data, and some basic admin stuff (fix typos etc.. while they wai for the new license key), and ability to enter/purchase a new license key.

 

Just imagine your OS would lockdown when you dont have a valid license key, and they encrypted your hard-drives, so without the license key you cant get your photos, your music, .., I think you would be really pissed off and you would most likely run linux from that point onwards, if not already :)

 

Treating your customers like friends is better then to treat them like enemies, because they'll treat you the same way!

Edited by ignace
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