System and Method for Software Activation

• US 20100325735A1
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uniloc Luxembourg S.à r.l. (f/k/a Uniloc Luxembourg S.A.) (Uniloc Corporation Pty. Limited)
• Original Assignee: Uniloc Luxembourg S.à r.l. (f/k/a Uniloc Luxembourg S.A.) (Uniloc Corporation Pty. Limited)
• Inventors: Etchegoyen, Craig S.
• Application Number:
  US12/784,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20100325735A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1011 to devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers

Abstract

A system and related method for activating use of software on a computing device utilizes a license server configured so that, responsive to a communication link being available between the license server and the computing device, the license server receives from the computing device, via the communication link, an activation request including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computer, and (c) a license key for the software, accesses a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and license keys, determines an activation instruction through application of a usage policy that compares the activation request to records within the database, and sends the activation instruction to the computing device.

Claims

1. A system for activating use of software on a computing device, the system comprising:

a license server configured so that, in response to a communication link being available between the license server and the computing device, the license server;

receives from the computing device, via the communication link, an activation request including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) a license key for the software;

accesses a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and license keys;

determines an activation instruction through application of a usage policy, wherein application of the usage policy includes a comparison between the activation request and one or more records within the database; and

sends the activation instruction to the computing device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the usage policy increases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the usage policy decreases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the usage policy limits usage time across all activations for the license key.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the usage time increases over time.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the usage policy alters software features available during use of the software.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the usage policy enables additional software features over time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation instruction includes an activation denial.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the license server is further configured to update the database to reflect the activation request and the resulting activation instruction.

10. A method for activating use of software on a computing device, the method comprising:

establishing a communication link between a data collection server and the computing device;

receiving at the data collection server from the computing device, via the communication link, an activation request including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) a license key for the software;

accessing a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and license keys;

applying a usage policy as part of a comparison between the activation request and records within the database;

determining an activation instruction from the applied usage policy; and

sending the activation instruction to the computing device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the usage policy increases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the usage policy decreases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the usage policy limits usage time across all activations for the license key.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the usage time increases over time.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the usage policy alters software features available during use of the software.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the usage policy enables additional software features over time.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the activation instruction includes an activation denial.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the license server is further configured to update the database to reflect the activation request and the resulting activation instruction.