Licensing system and method for freely distributed information
US6766305B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2137
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a licensing mechanism allowing for different forms of license for use in an environment of interconnected servers providing content. The invention comprises both methods and a system for licensing individual content based upon the nature of the use, thus facilitating the distribution of content without a license for non-commercial purposes and content with a license for commercial purposes. The system utilizes a special form placed within the content, the form containing either a legal assertion of the non-commercial nature of the use, or an identification of the licensee and other related data. If the form includes an identification of the licensee, a license server may be contacted to validate the license. The invention also includes a licensing tool or server to generate the appropriate form for insertion within the content.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.