The prevention of unauthorized copying of software and media. With regard to software, from the 1950s to the 1980s, copy protection was not a major issue. It became a problem after the advent of the personal computer and the Internet where data could be easily shared.
Software Copy Protection
Today, the world accesses the Internet for everything, and software is downloaded. If a paid product, a serial number activates the application.
In the past, software was easily copied and unless there were built-in copy protections, anyone could use it. For a very secure method, see
hardware key.
Media Copy Protection
Copy protection can be built into any and all data with encryption being the most basic method. Right now, the biggest copy protection trial of the century is taking place: AI developers have scoured the world's knowledge in text, image, audio and video, much of which is copyrighted content. That knowledge is why ChatGPT can answer almost any question you have, not to mention write a poem or create a custom image.
AI companies are being sued, and thus far the Trump administration favors the companies to keep America at the top of the game. If AI companies lose a few copyright lawsuits, thousands of people might sue, because all media falls under copyright law. A silly annoyance for companies trying to take over the world! See
copyright,
DRM,
DMCA,
CSS,
BD+ and
peer-to-peer network.