ILok
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The correct title of this article is iLok. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
The iLok or "InterLok" is a copy protection method developed and manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy of San Jose, California utilizing a USB hardware "key" or "Dongle", and an online registration system at www.ilok.com. The "key" is about 3 inches long, can hold over 100 cross-platform licenses and is in use by hundreds of popular high-end software products. It enables a user of licensed software to use that software on different machines without having to "register" each one with a challenge/response string. It accomplishes this by storing authorizations in the key. The key includes a GSM SIM card slot where the key can accept licenses on cards similar to those used in cellular telephones. These licenses can be loaded into the key and the SIM card can then be discarded. It is not necessary to have the SIM card to load a license into the key as they can also be downloaded over the internet or preprogrammed by the software manufacturer.
There are three ways of getting a license into an iLok key. Some software and hardware retail packages include the small smart card SIM chips that you insert into the iLok at the time specified by the software, and the license gets transferred in. Alternatively, you can purchase either physical or online licenses and transfer them to an iLok via iLok.com. Finally, many iLoks are shipped to customers as part of a product, pre-authorized. End users can use iLok.com to get trial software licenses and electronic delivery of Internet purchased licenses. This is notable in that the iLok allows for "Demo" periods so users can try software while still protecting the rights of the software manufacturer. It also allows scenarios wherein a user could actually effectively rent software for any period of time.
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[edit] Zero downtime
It could be considered a huge advantage to the iLok over other copy protection methods that the manufacturer of iLok offers an "insurance" plan called "Zero Downtime" or "ZDT" that involves the purchase of another physical iLok, but provides immediate replacement of licenses in the event of a broken, lost or stolen iLok key. This service costs the user $30 a year and basically, if an iLok is damaged, lost, or stolen, an immediate 2 week temporary license can be instantly granted so that the user has access to their software until the problem is resolved. This has obvious benefits for time-critical applications such as touring (where the loss of a license could force the cancellation of a performance) and recording studios where lost time is billed hourly. No matter one's thoughts on copy protection of any kind, it is notable that this solution is the only one with an insurance policy of this type.
[edit] Criticisms
Note that any method of copy protection is going to have its detractors and is going to be by nature of the subject, unpopular. This could be argued far and above the scope of this article.
- The iLok often comes under fire in software user groups since the user must purchase the physical key itself in addition to whatever software the user is licensing. Software manufacturers have the option of providing the physical key to their users as well and some companies such as MOTU do include the key with their software. Additionally, there is a per license charge that the software vendor must pay to the iLok manufacturer which would have to be included in the software purchase price.
- Some software protected by InterLok requiring an iLok has been cracked by several different cracking groups. This should be clarified in that the copy protection "wrapper" was removed, however the iLok itself was not "cracked."
- Some users of the software it protects question the point of having a protection which can make legitmate customers suffer while pirates can use the software it protects - Although this is an argument that could be made of any copy protection method and is not specific to the iLok.
[edit] Destruction of iLoks
One criticism of the iLok is that if it is damaged, lost or stolen, you could essentially lose thousands (or many tens of thousands) of dollars in software. iLok's manufacturer downplays the likelihood of physical damage and has several videos on their website demonstrating various torture of iLoks including one video of them attaching an iLok to the head of a rocket and firing it into a wall.[1] There are several other videos on their website showing attempted destruction by various means and all with the iLok functioning afterward therefore it can be assumed that physically damaging an iLok is difficult.
[edit] Notable
- The lack of an Apple Mac Intel-native version of the iLok software was considered to be a potential obstacle to software vendors releasing universal binary versions of their applications before its eventual release on May 14, 2006.[2] Beta versions were available early in 2006 for PACE developers.
- PACE had Vista comptatible versions of their drivers and tools to developers in 2007.
- PACE, the manufacturer of the iLok granted permission to Wikipedia to use the iLok photo for this article and is apparently very receptive to any and all questions or concerns about the iLok.
- Over 50 companies in the Pro-Audio field utilize the iLok for copy protection and license management.
- Contrary to articles posted on the web and Wikipedia, PACE does not access the boot blocks in any way, shape or form and restricts all of their access to known areas within the file system.
- PACE is not compatible with products protected by rival method ASProtect. ASProtect has been used with certain pro-audio products including those from Alien Connections.
- In a letter to a anti-PACE/iLok thread in a Cakewalk Sonar user list, PACE President Allen Cronce challenged anti-PACE users to a first-person shooter deathmatch as a way of "blowing off some steam."
- While they may not exercise it, software publishers have the ability through the iLok to offer replacement licenses. However, if someone has lots of products on their iLok it could be tedious to contact 5 vendors in 3 time zones. Some software publishers give back up licenses ahead of time in case of such an emergency.
- The iLok was the first copy protection dongle to support multiple licenses on the same unit.
[edit] Partial list of software that uses the iLok for copy protection
- MOTU MX4
- MOTU MachFive
- Izotope Ozone
- Izotope Trash
- Izotope Spectron
- Virtually all Waves Products
- Virtually all Digidesign plug-ins
- Antares Auto-Tune
- Serato products
- McDSP plug-ins (some software purchases include a green iLok key)
[edit] Partial list of manufacturers the utilize the iLok for copy protection
AbbeyRoad Studios Algorithmix Antares Audio Technologies Audio Ease Brainworx Music & Media GmbH Celemony Crane Song Ltd Creative Network Design Cube-Tec International GmbH Cycling '74 Digidesign DTS, Inc. Dolby DUY Research Drawmer East West Sounds Online Eventide, Inc. Focusrite Audio Engineering Grey Matter Response/Sprig GRM Tools iZotope KORG Research Mark Of The Unicorn, Inc. MOTU McDSP M-Audio Mu Technologies Notion Nomad Factory Nonfiction Software Minnetonka Software Inc. Plugorama - Muse Research Princeton Digital PSP Audioware Remote Control Productions Roger Nichols Digital Rocket NYC RC Productions, Serato Audio Research Softube Sony Pro Audio R&D Sound and Form Soundminer Soundfield SoundToys Source Elements SRS Labs, Inc. SyncroArts Synaptricity Synful Orchestra TC Electronic TC-Helicon Vocal Technologies Trillium Lane Labs Troon Virtual Katy, Inc. Ultimate Sound Bank Inc. Unique Recording Software Universal Audio, Inc. WayOutWare Waves, Inc.
