Joys of watermarking

Note: this was changed to include Delphi itself :)

Watermark: to prevent or deter unauthorized copying of [Delphi components]/[Delphi]

Kudos to XXXXX for starting to watermark their [components]/[Delphi]. DelphiHater salutes to XXXXX for stopping pirated components/delphi from leaking out their [customer's download site]/[betas site] and blocking abused customer accounts (used to share pirated materials)

Q: How do I watermark files?
A: You need to first encrypt the sources in your install. If you use InnoSetup, you need to use a password, but wait - if you have a password, there's Innounp (google for it) so obviously you would need another installer. try writing your own. it's not that hard.

Q: How do i write my own installer?
A: Look at Innosetup sources for ideas, or other vendors, such as GhostInstaller, SetupFactory.

Q: What kind of copy-protection should I use?
A: You should use on-line activation kind, the type which calls home via SSL to your web-server and get a response.

Q: Should I ship DCUs?
A: You should ship only BPLs

Q: Should I use IceLicense?
A: Only if you feel confident you can pay US$299 per copy for each time you ship, since you are linking with source-code to their libraries.

Q: Should I use GPL components?
A: If you need to also ship your product as full source code, but wait, remember the money?

Q: What kind of files should I watermark?
A: At some places, like the TLB files, where you can slip in an extra GUID of the customer, or resource file, where it is not easily found.

Q: Does it work?
A: DelphiHater could find XXXXX watermarked files easily, and it prevents software piracy.

:)