Design of Electronic Software Distribution Protocol for Software Copyright Protection

In recent years, e-Commerce is very active on the Internet, especially the World Wide Web along with the popularization of Internet using high-speed networks. Especially, Electronic Software Distribution(ESD) is widely being focused as one of the popular researches. However, the existing models of ESD lack substantial illegal copy protection or copyright protection as they have the shortcomings of guaranteeing anonymity of users. This study suggests an ESD protocol that guarantees substantial copyright protection and anonymity based on the Public Key Infrastrncture(PKl). The suggested method does not give the information of a buyer who doesn't want to reveal to a seller, and protects illegal copy and distribution as well. When it happens that illegal copies are in circulation, this method provides a device to trace back its original distributor so that it helps protect the copyright. In addition, it provides more convenient environment to the user by not using the methods of serial number input and extra installation to use.