An object is protected from unauthorized copying by providing a key generator for the object, producing a first key, second key and a lock for the keys, storing the first key in the object, storing the second key in a database separate from the object, reading the first and second keys, opening the lock with the first and second keys, producing a third and fourth keys and a new lock for the object, invalidating the first and second keys, replacing the first key in the object with the third key, and replacing the second key in the database with the fourth key.