I am currently working on a project that will work on a membership system. The theory behind the website is that you can download electronic (PDF) versions of a magazine, if you are a paying member of the website.
The problem arises in that after downloading the PDF it can be sent to anyone and accessed by anyone. Is there a way to only allow the member that paid for the PDF access to it. Is there a 3rd party service that could host the PDF's and allow them to read by the user at a unique URL that holds a random string unique to that download?
Being able to stop the ability to openly distribute the PDF's and view them without being a member is paramount.
Does anyone of have any ideas? Basically I am looking for a DRM like system for PHP (I am assuming it is impossible)
How about this--rather than --giving-- them a copy that they can do whatever with, why not give them access to a Flash-based "pageflip" system with your pdf on it. You control access to the page via login, and you also control the content.
ANY code or content that you give to the user can be stolen. It just depends on the energy and knowledge of your user as to how many will steal it. Many times, the tougher the protection, the more likely they are to share it with others...hence, the plethora of Adobe CS5 downloads on Warez sites.
(Yes, for those of you who will inevitably point it out, I can steal flash too, but it's a lot of work!)