Method and system for managing software licenses
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing a license management system over a network ,the method comprising:
- (a) establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein a user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;
(b) receiving an upload of the corresponding licenses used by a user computer from the user computer to the server;
(c) associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;
(d) allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage each of the licenses individually according to business rules, wherein managing each of the licenses includes at least one of;
(i) modifying license information,(ii) transferring the licenses to another account; and
(iii) renting or selling the licenses;
(e) allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to the user computer, and(f) searching an external security device connected to the user'"'"'s computer for the licenses, and replacing the licenses accessed on the user'"'"'s computer or the external security device with time-limited licenses, requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for managing licenses over a network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network from a user computer, and allowing the user to upload licenses used by the computer to the server. The server then associates the uploaded licenses with the user account, and allows the user to log into the user account to review the account and associated uploaded licenses. The user may also retrieve the licenses for download to the user computer in the case of a lost or damaged license.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for providing a license management system over a network ,the method comprising:
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(a) establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein a user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses; (b) receiving an upload of the corresponding licenses used by a user computer from the user computer to the server; (c) associating the uploaded licenses with the user account; (d) allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage each of the licenses individually according to business rules, wherein managing each of the licenses includes at least one of; (i) modifying license information, (ii) transferring the licenses to another account; and (iii) renting or selling the licenses; (e) allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to the user computer, and (f) searching an external security device connected to the user'"'"'s computer for the licenses, and replacing the licenses accessed on the user'"'"'s computer or the external security device with time-limited licenses, requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An executable software product stored on a computer-readable medium containing program instructions for providing a license management system over a network, the program instructions for:
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(a) establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein a user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses; (b) receiving an upload of the corresponding licenses used by a user computer from the user computer to the server; (c) associating the uploaded licenses with the user account; (d) allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage each of the licenses individually according to business rules, wherein managing each of the licenses includes at least one of; (i) modifying license information, (ii) transferring the licenses to another account; and (iii) renting or selling the licenses; (e) allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to the user computer; and (f) searching an external security device connected to the user'"'"'s computer for the licenses, and replacing the licenses accessed on the user'"'"'s computer or the external security device with time-limited licenses, requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products.
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14. A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
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(a) establishing a publisher account on a server coupled to the network, wherein a publisher provides of one or more software products, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses; (b) receiving an upload of the corresponding licenses from the publisher to the server; (c) associating the uploaded licenses with the publisher account; (d) allowing the publisher to log into the publisher account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the publisher to manage each of the licenses individually according to business rules, wherein managing each of the licenses includes at least one of; (i) modifying license information, (ii) transferring the licenses to another account; and (iii) renting or selling the licenses; (e) allowing the publisher to retrieve and download the licenses to the publisher computer; and (f) searching an external security device connected to the publisher'"'"'s computer for the licenses, and replacing the licenses accessed on the publisher'"'"'s computer or the external security device with time-limited licenses, requiring the publisher to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products.
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Specification