Apparatus and method to allow a user a trial period before licensing a software program product
First Claim
1. A method for preventing continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising the steps of:
- determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun;
responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use, setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period;
periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and
responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended, causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided to permit copies of software products to be installed on systems, with a predetermined delay before commencement of a designated test period. The predetermined delay provides for a cumulative elapsed time, beginning with the installation of the software product to be evaluated during the designated test period, to allow for miscellaneous starts of the computer system prior to productive use for the purpose of evaluation during the user trial period. The miscellaneous starts may be associated with software product installation procedures during preload activities, attachment of devices and/or adapters to tailor the system to a particular user configuration, or to otherwise "boot" or check the system prior to productive use.
174 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for preventing continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising the steps of:
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determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use, setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended, causing the protected computer program product to be disabled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A data processing system including processor, memory and input device which prevents continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising:
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means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A protected computer program product on a computer readable medium for preventing continued use of the protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising;
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means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification