Automated system for management of licensed software
US5790664A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2101
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for providing a system for automatically tracking use of a software and also for determining whether the software is validly licensed and enabling or disabling the software accordingly. Exemplary systems involve attaching a licensing system module to a software application. Records of valid licenses are stored in the database maintained by the software provider. The licensing system module transparently forms a license record inquiry message. The message is transparently sent to the database over a public network, such as the Internet, to determine whether a valid license record exists in the database for the software application. The database forms and returns an appropriate response message that is interpreted by the licensing system module. The software application can then be appropriately enabled or disabled by the licensing system module. The receipt of the license record inquiry can be recorded in the database to monitor software use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.