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New Lock Aims To End Chip Piracy

Posted by kdawson on from the can-you-unlock-me-now dept.

Stony Stevenson writes "Pirated microchips based on stolen blueprints could soon be a thing of the past thanks to computer engineers at Rice University and the University of Michigan. The engineers have devised a way to head off this costly infringement by giving each chip its own unique lock and key. The patent holder would hold the keys, and the chip would securely communicate with the patent holder to unlock itself. The chip could operate only after being unlocked. The Ending Piracy of Integrated Circuits (Epic) technique relies on established cryptography methods, and introduces subtle changes into the chip design process without affecting performance or power consumption. With Epic protection enabled, each integrated circuit would be manufactured with a few extra switches that behave like a combination lock."

5 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. Holy crap by Bobfrankly1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I guess this means I'll have to buy genuine Ruffles and Doritos from now on!
    --
    How many mod points will this bad pun cost me?

  2. When it detects that it's a pirate copy, it says: by spun · · Score: 5, Funny

    EPIC FAIL!

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  3. Re:Physical DRM by burni · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yep, "great"!

    .. soon to be cracked, by a great army of brilliant chinese/taiwanese/etc.. engineers,
    specialized in getting to know how everything works.

    Just to remember, how long did it took to crack HD-DVD encryption ?
    Not long enough to survive it's own extinction.

    We all know the story's ending, it just happens too often.

  4. Re:Well, if they have the blueprint... by Sta7ic · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sure thing. Just gotta jimmy a paperclip in there at the 45nm level.

  5. Re:When it detects that it's a pirate copy, it say by pitchpipe · · Score: 4, Funny
    Not only EPIC FAIL, maybe we could have this chip report you to a patent offenders registry where all of the other chips that are using EPIC could deny your using them to prevent further patent abuse.

    Hurries and puts bleeding child in car. Turns key...
    "I'm sorry sir, your patent offenders registry status prevents you from starting this car."
    But car, I need to get to the emerg... "I'm sorry sir, your patent offenders registry status prevents you from starting this car."
    Oh fuck it!
    Dials phone
    "I'm sorry sir, your patent offenders registry status prevents you from dialing this phone. Please seek the assistance of a non-offender in...

    --
    Look where all this talking got us, baby.