System And Method For The Distribution Of Software Products
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for selling software products over a network. The system includes a server computer with access to software products. The system is configured to allow a user to purchase a subscription for the periodic acquisition of selected software products. In one embodiment, as part of the subscription, the user pays an amount during selected billing intervals. In return, the system issues to the user a number of credits for downloading at no additional charge at least one of the software products during a credit interval, which may be equal in length to the billing interval. In one embodiment, the system debits a number of credits in response to fulfilling a user'"'"'s purchase request. The system may be also configured to deduct credits that are not used within selected credit intervals.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1-44. -44. (canceled)
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45. A server capable of communicating, via at least one network, with at least one handheld client that is capable of using at least one business-related software product, the server comprising:
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at least one processor capable of executing instructions, the instructions when executed resulting in the server being capable of providing at least one subscription-based software service via the at least one network, the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being associated with; a trial use period during which the at least one subscription-based software service is capable of being used at the at least one handheld client for free; the at least one business-related software product; a subscription period that is capable of being associated with the at least one business-related software product, the subscription period being subject to payment of recurring subscription payment, the recurring subscription payment corresponding to one of a plurality of different payment amounts that correspond to different subscription plans; the at least one business-related software product being capable of being downloaded, at least in part, to the at least one handheld client for use during the subscription period; the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being provided based upon a subscription, the subscription being associated, at least in part, with at least one user account whose creation is capable of being requested, at least in part, remotely from the server. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. Program storage storing program instructions for use by a server that in operation is capable of communicating with at least one handheld client via at least one network, the at least one handheld client being capable of using at least one business-related software product, the instructions when executed by the server resulting in performance of operations comprising:
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providing, at least in part, at least one subscription-based software service via the at least one network, the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being associated with; a trial use period during which the at least one subscription-based software service is capable of being used at the at least one handheld client for free; the at least one business-related software product; a subscription period that is capable of being associated with the at least one business-related software product, the subscription period being subject to payment of recurring subscription payment, the recurring subscription payment corresponding to one of a plurality of different payment amounts that correspond to different subscription plans; the at least one business-related software product being capable of being downloaded, at least in part, to the at least one handheld client for use during the subscription period; the at least one subscription-based software service being capable of being provided based upon a subscription, the subscription being associated, at least in part, with at least one user account whose creation is capable of being requested, at least in part, remotely from the server. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification