>Can anyone give some tips to protect my programs agains piracy ?
>
>Thanks in advance....

I try to shame my customers into compliance.

Whenever the app is started, the name of the owner is prominently displayed (also on the main screen title and sometimes in reports). The info is kept in the registry or in an INI file for a network.

My approach is to have a security code checked against the name of the owner - so that if the company name changes then the unlock code changes as well.

If someone gives away the program, they know that their name will always be on those welcome screens. Any employee who uses the app will know it's stolen.

My hope is that this will make the true owner think twice about giving it away, and make the pirate worry about it every time they see the application start.

FWIW