Encrypt and Licence?

gc40

Hello,
I am building a website for a client and they are also a web developer (they sub-contracted me for a job). They requested that I build a web app for THEIR client and host it on THEIR server. I asked them if it was okay if I protect myself and my code by encrypting it and putting a license on it so that only that client can use my code.

Here are my questions:
1. How do I establish a system that is linked to an external database of priviledged sites that I have that are allowed access to my code. For example, I have a hashed value (Server_Name + Int) + Remote_Host. I basically want to restrict access from website that is not listed in that database of authenticated users.

Is there FREE software out there that I can use to encrypt my PHP code (I looked at IonCube, but it is fairly expensive).

Weedpacket

gc40 wrote:
...FREE software...

Why does it have to be free? Aren't you being paid for this? If you're not then maybe that's your first mistake right there.

I can't think of any FREE software that does anything more than trivial obfuscation; certainly nothing that has any the sort of adequate encryption/licensing control that professional products like IonCube and Zend Guard have.

gc40

Weedpacket;10904242 wrote:
Why does it have to be free? Aren't you being paid for this? If you're not then maybe that's your first mistake right there.

I can't think of any FREE software that does anything more than trivial obfuscation; certainly nothing that has any the sort of adequate encryption/licensing control that professional products like IonCube and Zend Guard have.

Doing the project for free. Friendly work.

dagon

gc40;10904244 wrote:
Doing the project for free. Friendly work.

Then what do you think your protecting?

gc40

My work. I do not understand why people are deviating from answering the question, but rather digging into non-relevant topics. Kind of defeating the purpose of me posting my questions here. Not being rude, but just looking for some help.

dagon

gc40;10904265 wrote:
My work. I do not understand why people are deviating from answering the question, but rather digging into non-relevant topics. Kind of defeating the purpose of me posting my questions here. Not being rude, but just looking for some help.

That's because people have a habit of asking the wrong question, not being rude but protect from what and why?

What's the worse case scenario, some one else uses your code?

Unless it does something no one has ever done before, its rather complementary that they 'stole' yours rather than the other 10 billion lines out there already.

This forum provides help in an open way so that any one can come and use the code posted, for profit or fun. If your have the priority ideology perhaps php an Open Source language is not the best for you.

Weedpacket

gc40 wrote:
I do not understand why people are deviating from answering the question,

Sorry that my answer to your question wasn't the one you wanted to hear. But it hasn't changed: "I can't think of any FREE software that does anything more than trivial obfuscation; certainly nothing that has any the sort of adequate encryption/licensing control that professional products like IonCube and Zend Guard have."

laserlight

gc40 wrote:
I can't think of any FREE software that does anything more than trivial obfuscation; certainly nothing that has any the sort of adequate encryption/licensing control that professional products like IonCube and Zend Guard have.

And neither can I.

I agree with dagon: just license your script to them under and open source license, or a proprietary license (but then you might need to contact a lawyer if you want your provisions to be water tight, and that will cost money once again).

Weedpacket

gc40 wrote:
1. How do I establish a system that is linked to an external database of priviledged sites that I have that are allowed access to my code. For example, I have a hashed value (Server_Name + Int) + Remote_Host. I basically want to restrict access from website that is not listed in that database of authenticated users.

IANAL, but I wonder if your clients could hold you liable for damages if your database goes down/becomes inaccessible? Is that covered in your contract with them?