A copy protection technique using multi-level error coding

Abstract

A novel copy protection scheme for optical disks is proposed. Three error mechanisms - error insertion, error correction and error propagation - are included in the proposed scheme, which lead to a sharp cutoff in the detection probability of an encryption key. This cutoff behavior could be employed to effectively prevent bit-by-bit copying of optical disks. The proposed scheme can be easily implemented in common players, being a simple and effective copy protection technique.