System and related methods for managing and enforcing software licenses

US7343297B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Peter Bergler · Duvall, US
• John E. Parsons · Sammamish, US
• Breen Hagan · Mountain View, US
• Tad Dennis Brockway · Redmond, US
• Robert K. Leitman · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 11, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/184
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for managing and enforcing software licenses through automating per-seat software licensing using a “leased license” approach provides vendors with the assurance that purchasers are complying with software licenses while maximizing a customer's use of purchased software licenses. Licenses are automatically enforced by expiring leased licenses and making the expired licenses available again for use by client computers. A system includes a licensing clearinghouse, a license server, clients, and terminal servers. A terminal server assists a client in obtaining a license with an expiration date from a license server, and helps maintain the client's license status through license requests to the license server. Licenses that expire are recycled and made available again to clients. Prior to expiring, licenses are automatically updated during a license update period, and if a license is lost, a temporary license is issued. After the license update period, clients may receive a license update or a new license. Temporary licenses are replaced with permanent licenses that are returned to the available license pool, thus netting out the overall distribution of purchased li…