METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DISTRIBUTING SOFTWARE PRODUCTS IN TRIAL MODE
First Claim
1. A method for distributing software products in a data processing system, the method including the steps of:
- deploying a main software package for a software product from a source entity to a set of target entities of the system, applying the main software package in an installing mode on each target entity to install the software product, monitoring the fulfillment of an expiration condition for the software product on each target entity by an agent, and in response to the fulfillment of the expiration condition, applying the main software package in a disabling mode on the target entity to reversibly disable the software product.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solution (300) for distributing software products in trial mode is proposed. This solution is based on the idea of leveraging a software distribution infrastructure. For this purpose, a trial software package (identified by a specific attribute) is provided (306-309) for any software product to be distributed in the trial mode. The trial software package is deployed (318-321) and applied (324-330) as usual to install the software product. An additional service of the software distribution infrastructure monitors (333-339) the reaching of an expiration term of the software product (defined in another attribute of the corresponding trial software package). When this expiration term is reached, the trial software package is applied again (342-345) so as to remove the software product temporarily. If a license for the same software product is bought later on (354), a corresponding activation software package is deployed (354-360) and applied (363). The activation software package in turn invokes the application of the trial software package (369-372), so as to restore the software product permanently.
39 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for distributing software products in a data processing system, the method including the steps of:
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deploying a main software package for a software product from a source entity to a set of target entities of the system, applying the main software package in an installing mode on each target entity to install the software product, monitoring the fulfillment of an expiration condition for the software product on each target entity by an agent, and in response to the fulfillment of the expiration condition, applying the main software package in a disabling mode on the target entity to reversibly disable the software product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer program in a computer readable medium for distributing software products in a data processing system, comprising:
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instructions for deploying a main software package for a software product from a source entity to a set of target entities of the system, instructions for applying the main software package in an installing mode on each target entity to install the software product, instructions for monitoring the fulfillment of an expiration condition for the software product on each target entity by an agent, and instructions responsive to the fulfillment of the expiration condition for applying the main software package in a disabling mode on the target entity to reversibly disable the software product.
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10. A system for distributing software products in a data processing system comprising:
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means for deploying a main software package for a software product from a source entity to a set of target entities of the system, means for applying the main software package in an installing mode on each target entity to install the software product, means for monitoring the fulfillment of an expiration condition for the software product on each target entity by an agent, and means responsive to the fulfillment of the expiration condition for applying the main software package in a disabling mode on the target entity to reversibly disable the software product.
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Specification