How does one protect a web application sold on a per license basis from piracy?

Question

So yea, i'm planning on selling a web application i've made. I know i could never stop people from copying files and sharing them, but how would i go about placing pieces of code that could alert me of usage?

I know someone motivated enough will eventually crack it.. i'm just interested in the possible solutions(using php, especially).

Thanks guys!

Answer 1

What are you talking about is analogous of a trojan into commercial software. Why would anybody pay for software that sends monitoring beacons out to the web?

Instead you could simply sell the software with a licensing scheme and provide services that require valid licenses. That way people who steal your software cannot obtain security patches, support, or upgrades, and other goodies. If you do not have a business ready to support the software you are about to sell then you may not be ready to sell your software at this time.

Answer 2

Try Zend Guard

Answer 3

A less expensive alternative to Zend Guard is IonCube

Answer 4

@austin cheney I will top him for that. I don't recommend you encrypting your software, nor OBfuscate it. This will take freedom away from your user. Why don't you just do like IPB? Call every hosting that host your illegal software :)

@Jeff You will need a host. Search for pinging on google. Hide the ping script in your script and let it ping your server script which you can record the IP and Domain?