Software blacklist: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Software Blacklisting

This is a tool used by manufacturers of games and music on CD and DVD.

Essentially the software on the game or music disc will audit the users computer for certain types of copy / burning software. If blacklisted software is found then certain actions are taken by the software on the game or music disc. Examples would be allowing the copy of the game to take place but crashing the copied game when attempting to load; allowing copies of games that will malfunction in subtle ways; simply disallowing the game to be run while this software exists etc.

This software blacklisting can be seen as a counter measure to copy / burning software that is known to attempt by-passing of copy protection schemes such as Securom.

The user of the game or music disc is left with some alternatives to backing up their disc or simply playing it.

They may elect to have a games machine and a copy / burning machine ( these machines can be virtual or otherwise ). They may uninstall the blacklisted copy / burning software. They may wait for an update of the copy / burning software that will have a counter measure to the game or music discs own blacklisting countermeasure.

Examples of blacklisted software are: Alcohol 120% and CloneCD

As a footnote: This process of measure, counter measure and counter counter measure can be seen as part of a growing trend that pits consumer against manufacturer, with each trying to wrest control of software and it's use from the other.