This guide shows how software activation works to protect applications, Trialware, spreadsheets, plugins and multimedia content. The QuickLicense application on Windows or Macintosh is used to configure a ticket file that determines how the activation process and license works. The ticket file and royalty-free runtime file are distributed with your application.
The ticket generation process takes just minutes and gives the developer many options to choose from. For example, the software license can be uniquely activated for each computer based on a hardware/software fingerprint shown as a Request Number in the Activation dialog. Each Request Number requires a unique Activation Code.
Alternatively, the Activation dialog can have a Name field and Activation Code field without a machine specific Request Number. This approach is less secure, but gives the user more flexible to activate the software on several machines using the same Name and Activation Code. It discourages users from distributing your software to unlicensed users since that would require giving out their uniquely identifiable Name and Activation Code.
On each launch, your application communicates with the runtime file. On the first launch, an Activation dialog is presented that requires an Activation Code. Each successive launch validates the license on that computer. The validation process is invisible to the user.
A few lines of glue code are needed in your application to send a Request Message and receive a Response Message from the runtime file. Code examples are available for a variety of programming languages and application types.
The algorithm of your glue code is quite simple:
Send Request Message
Get Response Message
If ReturnCode < 0 then
Show Error Message and Quit
Else
Run Normally
The QuickLicense application generates an Activation Code from the Request Number based on an Activation Calculation you control. The end user provides the Request Number and the vendor returns an Activation Code that activates the software on that computer.An Activation Code can be given over the phone, by email or on a web page. Notice the web link in the Activation dialog presented on first launch of your application. The user clicks the link to present an Activation Request web page in their browser. A form collects the customer information and sends it to the vendor. The only required information is the Request Number and possibly a Serial Number from the vendor's product CD. The vendor either emails the Activation Code to the user or provides it with an instant server side script.
The Safe Activation Service allows a vendor to present a customized page on their web site, instant Activation Codes and products controlled by Serial Numbers. The vendor's product and customer information is accessible through a secure, online account with no web site programming required.
Alternatively, use WebActivation for self-hosted, QuickLicense activation.