System and method for selling protected information in an oem context

• US 20050102239A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schull, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,092,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/109 by using specially-adapted hardware at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

Abstract

A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User'"'"'s System via a Programmer'"'"'s Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer'"'"'s Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer'"'"'s Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User'"'"'s System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User'"'"'s System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Claims

1. A method for enabling access to a software program, the method comprising:

loading a plurality of software programs on to a hard drive of a computer, the software programs being at least partially inaccessible to a user without a password, the loading being performed by a first entity, the software programs being created by at least a second entity distinct from the first entity;

selling the computer to a user;

thereafter, receiving a request from the user to access a select software program; and

forwarding the password to the user.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each software program is accessible using a respective password.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the request is received by a licensing server.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the request is received by the second entity.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user is able to access the select software program but is not able to access other software programs.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the request includes an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of the computer.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a device accessible to the computer.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of hardware in the computer.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the select software program.

10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the password is created by using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the request comprises a request including payment information associated with access to the software program.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the payment information is related to a monetary payment.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising processing the payment information to affect a transfer of funds.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payment information comprises credit card information.

15. A method for accessing software, the method comprising:

purchasing a computer, the computer including a plurality of software programs stored on a hard drive, the plurality of software programs being at least partially inaccessible to a user without a password, the software programs being loaded on the computer by a first entity, the software programs being created by at least a second entity distinct from the first entity;

requesting access to a select software program;

requesting the password;

receiving the password; and

using the password to access the select software program.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein each software program is accessible using a respective password.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the requesting access is performed by a user.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein each software program is accessible using a respective password.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the requesting the password is initiated by another software program.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the request is received by a licensing server.

21. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the request is received by the second entity.

22. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the user is able to access the select software program but not able to access other software programs.

23. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the request includes an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of the computer.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a device accessible to the computer.

25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of hardware in the computer.

26. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the select software program.

27. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the password is created by using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

28. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the request comprises a request including payment information associated with access to the select software program.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the payment information is related to a monetary payment.

30. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising processing the payment information to affect a transfer of funds.

31. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the payment information comprises credit card information.