Extract IC Software Memory can be applied on the laser printer cartridge industry. Since most of the laser printer manufacturer will use intelligent IC to control the cartridge to be refilled or reused.

So once the IC extracter get to know the correct part number of IC on the cartridge, it will be easier to reprogramme the IC or use general microcontroller to replace it.

In the new laser printer technology, manufacturers start to use the security IC in more and more occasions, such as the iButton products from DALLAS to prevent extract microcontroller embedded firmware; or use ASIC IC, and use multiple verification protocols in the printer hardware to prevent MCU cracking.

The even harder situation is active the necessary moment when necessary. For example, the earliest printing cartridge can only use their series number as the purpose of validation. When the laser printer knows the products have been successfully replicated, the protection mechanism in the EEPROM of IC will be active. After that, copy chip by brutle force can be proceeded. And then designer can encrypt the EEPROM area on the IC to prevent the IC code extraction , use SHA-1 water marking for signature, can active the upgrade online, without let the customers know it.