# LaserLock

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Copy restriction system for CD-ROMs

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**LaserLock** is a [copy restriction](/source/Copy_protection) system for [CD-ROMs](/source/CD-ROM) with 32-bit [Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) applications introduced by MLS LaserLock International Inc. in 1995. LaserLock is supposed to check whether the original storage medium of a program is inserted. This check can be done regularly or only once during the installation of the program. If the disk is not accessible, an error window is displayed.

It uses a combination of encryption software and an optical mark on the surface of the disk. The protection code is embedded into an [executable](/source/Executable) file on the disk using a proprietary tool. This file, which is responsible for searching for the physical mark on the disk, is encrypted and gets multiple layers of protection against code analysis to impede [reverse engineering](/source/Reverse_engineering). The size of the encrypted file varies from 20 MB on CD-ROMs to 40 MB on DVD-ROMs or occasionally only 5 MB. LaserLock includes a hidden directory on the disk which contains [corrupted](/source/Data_corruption) data. When the disk is copied, the read device encounters errors due to the hidden directory.[1] Copying leads to unstable behavior of the copied software and often to [bad sectors](/source/Bad_sector) that make it impossible to use without the original disk.

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** "The Dark Art of Game Backups". *Maximum PC*. Vol. 6, no. 1. [Future US, Inc.](/source/Future_US%2C_Inc.) January 2001. p. 62. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1522-4279](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1522-4279).

## See also

- [Official FAQ](http://www.laserlock.com/faq.html)

v t e Digital rights management software Software CD-Cops Extended Copy Protection list Denuvo LaserLock MediaMax list OpenMG PlayReady SafeDisc SecuROM StarForce Tagès Windows Media DRM Janus Widevine FairPlay Related Defective by Design Software cracking Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal

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