Computer-implemented method for copy protection, data processing device and computer program product

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for preventing unauthorized processing of a digital representation of at least a portion of a document, a device for data processing, and a computer program product are provided, wherein in particular the document is a banknote. The method comprises providing data, wherein the data is based on the digital representation of at least a portion of a test element. The digital representation may be an image file corresponding to the at least one portion of the test element. The method also involves analyzing the data with regard to data representing at least one characterizing feature of the at least one portion of the document. The method further comprises activating prohibiting means if the data being based on the digital representation of the at least one portion of the test element is similar to the data representing the at least one characterizing feature. The prohibiting means prohibit the data being based on the digital representation of the at least one portion of the test element to be further processed, in particular comprising copying and/or transmitting and/or printing and/or reproducing the data. Alternatively, the prohibiting means amend the data such that the data is prevented from being transmitted and/or printed and/or reproduced and/or further amended by data processing devices.