Gate2StartGate2Start

Role Model: Role Model:

Mr. Petros Skalkos – Mr. Petros Skalkos –

CD-ROM Copy ProtectionCD-ROM Copy Protection

Mr. Petros Skalkos

Born in 1967

Civil Engineer, PhD in Seismology (AUTH)

Research experience: Software development, signal analysis, arithmetic analysis techniques et al.

Profile – The researcherProfile – The researcher

Main ProblemMain Problem

In the early 90s the increasing In the early 90s the increasing software piracy rates software piracy rates

threatened the growing threatened the growing Software Industry, diminishing Software Industry, diminishing its earnings in a great extendits earnings in a great extend

CD protection system:CD protection system: Every locked application has a Every locked application has a unique locking parameter that provides protection against unique locking parameter that provides protection against illegal remastering and reproduction.illegal remastering and reproduction.

Result:Result: Intellectual & industrial property rights protected Intellectual & industrial property rights protected and secured. Immediate sales increase.and secured. Immediate sales increase.

The system consists of:

• Physical Signature on CD, made during a unique and special glass Physical Signature on CD, made during a unique and special glass mastering process; mastering process;

• State-of-the-art Debug Prevention engineering embedded in the State-of-the-art Debug Prevention engineering embedded in the

software code;software code;

•Sophisticated Code Encryption software.Sophisticated Code Encryption software.

The Proposed SolutionThe Proposed Solution

MilestonesMilestones

1995: Idea for Copy Protection conceived1995: Idea for Copy Protection conceived

1995: co-establishment of MLS Laserlock to fund 1995: co-establishment of MLS Laserlock to fund the development of the product and exploit it the development of the product and exploit it commerciallycommercially

1996: The research turned from Floppy disk 1996: The research turned from Floppy disk Protection to CD-ROM Copy ProtectionProtection to CD-ROM Copy Protection

1998: 11998: 1stst ICT Grand Prize Winner ( ICT Grand Prize Winner (€€200.000200.000))

Innovation: Innovation: Market IssuesMarket Issues

The idea was triggered by a real market needThe idea was triggered by a real market need

Innovation: Unique Solution. Innovation: Unique Solution. Initial market research Initial market research revealed a global lack of competition. revealed a global lack of competition.

Market needs continued defining the research’s basic Market needs continued defining the research’s basic aspects, turning it from floppy disks to CD-Rom disks.aspects, turning it from floppy disks to CD-Rom disks.

The solution was developed in cooperation with the The solution was developed in cooperation with the Software Industry and CD-ROM Manufacturers.Software Industry and CD-ROM Manufacturers.

Research evolved following market demand (DVDs Research evolved following market demand (DVDs etc)etc)

Innovation: Innovation: Business IssuesBusiness Issues

Mr Skalkos searched for partners from the very beginningMr Skalkos searched for partners from the very beginning

MLS Laserlock was established in order to fund and MLS Laserlock was established in order to fund and exploit the proposed solution. exploit the proposed solution.

Mr Skalkos held the Intellectual Property Rights, 25% Mr Skalkos held the Intellectual Property Rights, 25% equity share and the position of the Technical Director.equity share and the position of the Technical Director.

MLS Laserlock holds the Commercial Rights MLS Laserlock holds the Commercial Rights

Strategic partnerships Strategic partnerships ((Licensing Agreements) Licensing Agreements)

SuccessSuccess IST Grand Prize Winner 1998 (200.000€). 1st and IST Grand Prize Winner 1998 (200.000€). 1st and

only for Greece.only for Greece.

High publicity and recognition for the researcher. High publicity and recognition for the researcher.

Rapid economic growth. 0,5 m. € in 1998 1 m. € in Rapid economic growth. 0,5 m. € in 1998 1 m. € in 2000. 2000.

Domination in the Greek and global market until Domination in the Greek and global market until competition managed to catch-up (SONY, competition managed to catch-up (SONY, Macrovision). 1999: 95% of the Greek and 15% of the Macrovision). 1999: 95% of the Greek and 15% of the global marketglobal market

High market acceptance. High market acceptance.

Lessons to LearnLessons to Learn Look for partners from the very beginning

Make a market research before starting, check if there is a market for your product

Monitor the market needs in a permanent basis (during and after the research) and adjust the product accordingly

Create partnership with potential costumers

Test the product before putting to market

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

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