CONDITIONAL POLICIES IN SOFTWARE LICENSES
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method for authorizing software use, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to use a software product;
receiving a license associated with the software product, wherein;
the license comprises a plurality of conditional policies; and
each of the plurality of conditional policies defines at least one respective usage right of the software product;
receiving an indication of authorization to use the software product;
comparing the received indication of authorization with the plurality of conditional policies; and
authorizing at least one usage right of the software product in accordance with, respectively, at least one of the plurality of conditional policies and a result of the comparison.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A software license includes conditional policies that define usage rights for software. A conditional policy contains a condition. If the condition is met, software is authorized for use in accordance with the conditional policy. Conditional policies can authorize software use in accordance with predetermined usage rights defined in the conditional policy. Conditional policies also can authorize software use as defined by plug-in computer programs provided by an independent software vendor. For example, a conditional policy can define the number of processors that can concurrently execute a software product dependent upon the type of CPU in the processor. Or, the maximum number of processors that can concurrently execute a software product can be defined in a plug-in that is called by a software license manager application, or the like.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method for authorizing software use, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to use a software product; receiving a license associated with the software product, wherein; the license comprises a plurality of conditional policies; and each of the plurality of conditional policies defines at least one respective usage right of the software product; receiving an indication of authorization to use the software product; comparing the received indication of authorization with the plurality of conditional policies; and authorizing at least one usage right of the software product in accordance with, respectively, at least one of the plurality of conditional policies and a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for authorizing software use, the system comprising:
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an input/output portion configured to; receive a request to use a software product; receive a license associated with the software product, wherein; the license comprises a plurality of conditional policies; and each of the plurality of conditional policies defines at least one respective usage right of the software product; receive an indication of authorization to use the software product; and a processing portion configure to; compare the received indication of authorization with the plurality of conditional policies; and authorize at least one usage right of the software product in accordance with, respectively, at least one of the plurality of conditional policies and a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for authorizing software use by performing the steps of:
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receiving a request to use a software product; receiving a license associated with the software product, wherein; the license comprises a plurality of conditional policies; and each of the plurality of conditional policies defines at least one respective usage right of the software product; receiving an indication of authorization to use the software product; comparing the received indication of authorization with the plurality of conditional policies, wherein; if a match is found between comparing the indication of authorization with each of the plurality of conditional policies, authorizing use of the software product in accordance with the at least one respective usage right defined in the matching conditional policy; and authorizing at least one usage right of the software product in accordance with, respectively, at least one of the plurality of conditional policies and a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification