Method and apparatus for enabling trial period use of software products: method and apparatus for allowing a try-and-buy user interaction
US5689560A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for distributing software objects from a producer to a potential user. The software object is reversibly functionally limited, preferably through encryption, and loaded onto a computer-accessible memory media along with the file management program. The computer-accessible memory media is shipped from the producer to the potential user. The file management program is loaded into a user-controlled data processing system, and associated with the operating system for the user-controlled data processing system. The computer-accessible memory media is read with the user-controlled data processing system. The file management program is utilized to restrict access to the software object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.