Macrovision Europe Limited

Mark Dominic Jackson

Richard A A Heylen

Peter Alfred Newman

A copy protection technique is described which enables the content () of an application file (), for example, provided by a licensed game provider, to be copy protected without action having to be taken at the time of encoding the application file onto a DVD or other optical disc. DSV data patterns, that is data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, are to be incorporated in the application file (). It is expected that sophisticated encoders () at games console manufacturers will be able, for example, by using look-ahead techniques, to encode and apply the application to the glass master () in a manner such that the encoded data will not cause DSV problems. However, if an attempt is made to read the data on the original disc, for example, for copying purposes, the DSV data patterns will cause a CD or DVD writer to encode the data onto the copy disc in a manner which renders the resultant copy disc effectively unplayable. The DSV data patterns may be incorporated in an application file () within information, or in control data therof (FIG.).

Method and apparatus for copy protection for applications

It is proposed to copy protect data files for transmission by incorporating DSV data patterns, that is, data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, in the data files. The data in five audio streams and two video streams is placed, by way of encoders () and a multiplexer () into a stream of blocks of encoded data in the MPEG file format (). In this format, blocks of video data V are arranged alternately with blocks of audio data A and padding stream blocks P. DSV data patterns () are incorporated into the MPEG file () by way of an encoder () to produce the copy protected data file (). The DSV data patterns () are incorporated into locations within the MPEG file which have no data content such as padding stream blocks P and/or into unused audio data blocks A. The DSV data patterns incorporated within the data blocks fed either to a monitor or to a reproduction system will not interfere with the reproduction such that unfettered access is provided to the transmitted information. However, a CD or DVD writer will generally be caused to write a disc which, when read, will result in a reader returning corrupted data or information signalling a read error. Thus, the data in the MPEG filehas been copy protected.

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Chineham, United Kingdom

Mark Dominic Jackson