# Protected version

The EC-Master software can be delivered in 3 different versions:

Protected
: Binary with MAC protection

Unrestricted
: Binary without MAC protection

Dongled
: Encrypted binary

The protected version will automatically stop after about 1 hour of continuous operation. In order to remove this restriction a valid runtime license key is required. The runtime license protection is based on the MAC address of the Ethernet controller used for the EtherCAT® protocol. With a valid License Key the protected version of EC-Master will automatically become an unrestricted version.

## Licensing procedure for Development Licenses

1. Installation of EC-Master protected version
2. Determine the MAC Address by calling [`emGetSrcMacAddress()`](api_general_functions.html.md#_CPPv418emGetSrcMacAddress10EC_T_DWORDP16ETHERNET_ADDRESS) or from a sticker applied on the hardware near the Ethernet controller
3. Send an Email with the subject “**Development License Key Request, Commission** *your commission number*” with the MAC address to [sales@acontis.com](mailto:sales@acontis.com)
4. Acontis will create the license keys and return them in a License Key Text File (CSV format).
   ```none
   Number;MAC Address;License Key
   1;00-00-5A-11-77-FE;DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC
   2;64-31-50-80-20-4E;1B7C1F86-D08E40A8-4F96F2BA
   3;2C-F0-5D-03-CB-2B;10005078-DFD9A2C3-5FD4B1CD-35041597-F8094AA4-6C7CCE7E
   ```
5. Activate the License Key by calling [`emSetLicenseKey()`](api_general_functions.html.md#_CPPv415emSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) with the license key that corresponds to the MAC address on the hardware and check the return code. The license key is 26 or 53 characters long.
   ```cpp
   dwRes = emSetLicenseKey(0, "DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC");
   ```

## Licensing procedure for Runtime Licenses

1. Installation of EC-Master protected version
2. Determine the MAC Address by calling [`emGetSrcMacAddress()`](api_general_functions.html.md#_CPPv418emGetSrcMacAddress10EC_T_DWORDP16ETHERNET_ADDRESS) or from a sticker applied on the hardware near the Ethernet controller
3. Provide the MAC Addresses and numbers from previously ordered and unused runtime license stickers in a text file to acontis as described in the example below. Please use a separate line for each runtime license sticker number and MAC Address.
   ```none
   S/N; MAC Address
   100-105-1-1/1603310001;00-00-5A-11-77-FE
   100-105-1-1/1603310002;64-31-50-80-20-4E
   100-105-1-1/1603310003;2C-F0-5D-03-CB-2B
   ```
4. Send an Email with the subject “**Runtime License Key Request, Commission** *your commission number*” with the MAC address to [sales@acontis.com](mailto:sales@acontis.com)
5. Acontis will create the license keys and return them in a License Key Text File.
   ```none
   Number;MAC Address;License Key
   1;00-00-5A-11-77-FE;DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC
   2;64-31-50-80-20-4E;1B7C1F86-D08E40A8-4F96F2BA
   3;2C-F0-5D-03-CB-2B;10005078-DFD9A2C3-5FD4B1CD-35041597-F8094AA4-6C7CCE7E
   ```
6. Activate the License Key by calling [`emSetLicenseKey()`](api_general_functions.html.md#_CPPv415emSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) with the license key that corresponds to the MAC address on the hardware and check the return code.
   ```cpp
   dwRes = emSetLicenseKey(0, "DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC");
   ```