Procedure for the protection of computer software and/or computer-readable data as well as protective equipment

A procedure for the protection of computer software and/or computer-readable data against unauthorized use includes the encoding of the software by the licenser dependent on license parameters, the storage of the software at the licensee, the encoded transmission of the license parameters from the licenser to the licensee, and the automatic decoding of the software dependent on the stored license parameters during the use of the software by the licensee. The encoding of the software is initialized dependent on a secret Firm Key (FK) freely selected by the licenser. The encoding of the transmission of license parameters occurs dependent on a secret Private Serial Key (SK). The decoding of the software or data is initialized dependent on the Firm Key (FK) selected by the licenser. A protective device is linked to the computer of the licensee and includes a memory for the storage of license parameters of different licensers.