Electronic asset lending library method and apparatus
US6901386B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/10
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A electronic asset lending library method and apparatus enables the electronic management and reassignment of licenses for unused electronic assets installed on computers connected through a communications network. Licensing data for the unused electronic assets is released by the currently assigned owner and made available to one or more communities of users for display by product category, name, or keyword search. Once released, the lending library notifies the currently assigned owner to remove the unused electronic asset from their computer and transfers the licensing data to a library account. Eligible borrowers are permitted to request a re-assignment of an available released license for an unused electronic asset from a lending library account to their own account. Upon re-assignment the electronic asset lending library automatically notifies the borrower with instructions for the download and installation of the unused electronic asset to their computer. A borrower is determined to be eligible if she belongs to the same community as the currently assigned owner of the unused electronic asset and if she is on an access control list previously created for the unused electroni…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.