Software licensing management system

• US 8,095,471 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Original Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Inventors: Yang, Eric, Baeder, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Fischer, Andrew J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coppola, Jacob C.
• Application Number:
  US09/854,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20020169625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,896 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products

Abstract

A contract management mechanism is disclosed for managing contracts in the software licensing arena. The management mechanism may be used, for example, to manage one or more fulfillment contracts. In operation (assuming a software licensing implementation for the sake of example), the management mechanism receives an inquiry regarding licensing of a particular set of software under a particular contract (the contract entitles a customer to consume a certain quota of resources under the contract). In response to the inquiry, the management mechanism determines a licensing amount. This licensing amount may be determined based upon many factors, including the set of software selected, other parameters specified in the inquiry, and the terms associated with the contract. Once the licensing amount is determined, and the customer commits to licensing the software, the management mechanism reduces the quota parameter of the contract by the licensing amount and allows the software to be used under the contract. Licensing of the software under the fulfillment contract is thus achieved and managed. Using the same process, other sets of software may be licensed under the same contract.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a contract, comprising:

receiving, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, a first inquiry regarding licensing of a first set of software under a particular contract;

in response to receiving said first inquiry, accessing, at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network and is embodied in a machine, information pertaining to said particular contract, said information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract;

determining, at said management system, a first licensing amount attributable to licensing said first set of software;

updating said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said first licensing amount;

deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

sending license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is coupled to said management system via said network, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said first set of software;

deploying, via said network, said first set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said first set of software;

allowing said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said updating said quota parameter includes reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding licensing of a second set of software under said particular contract;

determining a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said second set of software;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

allowing said second set of software to be used under said particular contract.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first set of software and said second set of software are different sets of software.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said second set of software is an upgraded version of said first set of software.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding obtaining a service under said particular contract;

determining a service amount attributable to obtaining said service;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said service amount; and

allowing said service to be rendered under said particular contract.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said service comprises technical support.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding purchasing a product under said particular contract;

determining a purchasing amount attributable to purchasing said product;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said purchasing amount; and

allowing said product to be purchased under said particular contract.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding licensing a set of property under said particular contract;

determining a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said property;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

allowing said property to be used under said particular contract.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said property comprises intellectual property.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said property comprises proprietary information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said first inquiry specifies one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein said first licensing amount is determined based, at least partially, upon at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters is specifiable by a sender of said first inquiry.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many users may concurrently use said first set of software.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many copies of said first set of software are desired.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing said first set of software to be used comprises:

granting a license to use said first set of software for a period of time.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a request to terminate said license before said period of time has elapsed;

determining a refund amount; and

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

disallowing further use of said first set of software under said particular contract.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein updating said quota parameter comprises:

increasing said quota parameter by said refund amount.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon an unused portion of said license.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying said first set of software includes:

receiving a request to deploy said first set of software; and

deploying said first set of software to said software host, wherein said software host may be any host specified by a sender of said request.

22. A computer-implemented method for managing a contract, comprising:

receiving, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network and is embodied in a machine, a first inquiry regarding licensing of a first set of software under a particular contract;

in response to receiving said first inquiry at said management system, accessing, at said management system, information pertaining to said particular contract, said information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract, and one or more contract terms associated with said particular contract;

determining, at said management system, a first licensing amount attributable to licensing said first set of software, said first licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms;

updating said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said first licensing amount;

deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

sending license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is coupled to said management system via said network, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license terns parameters relative to said first set of software;

deploying, via said network, said first set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said first set of software;

allowing said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said updating said quota parameter includes reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding licensing of a second set of software under said particular contract;

accessing said information pertaining to said particular contract;

determining a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said second set of software, said second licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount;

and allowing said second set of software to be used under said particular contract.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said first set of software and said second set of software are different sets of software.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said second set of software is an upgraded version of said first set of software.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more contract terms applied to determine said first licensing amount are different from the one or more contract terms applied to determine said second licensing amount.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more contract terms applied to determine said first licensing amount are the same as the one or more contract terms applied to determine said second licensing amount.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding obtaining a service under said particular contract;

determining a service amount attributable to obtaining said service;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said service amount;

and allowing said service to be rendered under said particular contract.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said service comprises technical support.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said service amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding purchasing a product under said particular contract;

determining a purchasing amount attributable to purchasing said product;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said purchasing amount;

and allowing said product to be purchased under said particular contract.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said purchasing amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a second inquiry regarding licensing a set of property under said particular contract;

determining a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said property;

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount;

and allowing said property to be used under said particular contract.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said property comprises intellectual property.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said property comprises proprietary information.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said second licensing amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

37. The method of claim 22, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises an uplift.

38. The method of claim 22, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises a discount.

39. The method of claim 22, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises a multiplier.

40. The method of claim 22, wherein said first inquiry specifies one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein said first licensing amount is determined based, at least partially, upon at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters is specifiable by a sender of said first inquiry.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many users may concurrently use said first set of software.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many copies of said first set of software are desired.

45. The method of claim 22, wherein said first inquiry specifies a set of inquiry parameters, which include a reference to said first set of software and one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein determining said first licensing amount comprises:

determining, based at least partially upon one or more of said inquiry parameters, which of said one or more contract terms to apply to said first inquiry.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said set of inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

47. The method of claim 22, wherein allowing said first set of software to be used comprises:

granting a license to use said first set of software for a period of time.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving a request to terminate said license before said period of time has elapsed;

determining a refund amount; and

updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

disallowing further use of said first set of software under said particular contract.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein updating said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount comprises:

increasing said quota parameter by said refund amount.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon an unused portion of said license.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein said refund amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

53. The method of claim 22, wherein deploying said first set of software includes:

receiving a request to deploy said first set of software; and

deploying said first set of software to said software host, wherein said software host may be any host specified by a sender of said request.

54. A computer-implemented method for managing a contract, comprising:

receiving, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system is embodied in a machine that is coupled to said client computer via said network, an inquiry regarding licensing of a set of software under a particular contract;

in response to receiving said first inquiry at said management system, accessing, at said management system, a first set of information pertaining to said particular contract, said first set of information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract, and one or more contract terms associated with said particular contract;

accessing, at said management system, one or more other sets of information pertaining to one or more other contracts related to said particular contract, each of said other sets of information comprising one or more contract terms associated with one of said other contracts;

processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information at said management system to derive one or more applicable contract terms that apply to said inquiry;

determining, at said management system, a licensing amount attributable to licensing said set of software, said licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying said one or more applicable contract terms;

updating said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said licensing amount;

deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

sending license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is embodied in a machine that is connected, via said network, to a machine in which said management system is embodied, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said first set of software;

deploying, via said network, said set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said set of software;

allowing said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said updating said quota parameter includes reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said one or more applicable contract terms may be derived from said first set of information or from any of said one or more other sets of information.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the contract terms associated with each contract may differ, and wherein processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

reconciling said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information to extract therefrom said one or more applicable contract terms.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein reconciling comprises:

processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information in a particular order;

searching, as each set of information is processed, for a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

upon finding a first contract term that applies to said inquiry, including said first contract term as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said first contract term may be found in said first set of information, or in any of said one or more other sets of information.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

determining whether said first set of information comprises a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

in response to a determination that said first set of information does not comprise a contract term that applies to said inquiry, deriving said one or more applicable contract terms from said one or more other sets of information.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein deriving said one or more applicable contract terms further comprises:

in response to a determination that said first set of information does comprise a contract term that applies to said inquiry, including the contract term that applies to said inquiry as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

61. The method of claim 54, wherein processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

processing said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information in a particular order;

searching, as each set of information is processed, for a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

upon finding a contract term that applies to said inquiry, including the contract term that applies to said inquiry as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the contract term that applies to said inquiry may be found in said first set of information, or in any of said one or more other sets of information.

63. A computer-implemented method for managing a contract, comprising:

receiving, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system is embodied in a machine that is coupled to said client computer via said network, a request to terminate a license on a set of software, said set of software being deployed on a software host configured to execute said set of software;

in response to receiving said request at said management system, accessing information pertaining to said license, said information comprising a reference to a contract under which said license was granted, said contract having a quota parameter associated therewith which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said contract;

determining a refund amount at said management system;

updating said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said refund amount;

deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

sending license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is embodied in a machine that is connected, via said network, to a machine in which said management system is embodied, (b) communicates with said set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said set of software;

disallowing further use of said set of software under said contract; and

wherein said updating said quota parameter includes reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein updating said quota parameter comprises:

increasing said quota parameter by said refund amount.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein said contract has one or more contract terms associated therewith, and wherein said refund amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein said information pertaining to said license further comprises a licensing amount attributable to licensing said set of software, and wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon said licensing amount.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said refund amount is a portion of said licensing amount, and wherein said portion is proportional to an unused portion of said license.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein disallowing further use of said set of software comprises:

preventing further execution of said set of software.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein preventing comprises:

invalidating an authorization parameter which is required for proper execution of said set of software.

70. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to manage a contract, said computer readable medium comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, a first inquiry regarding licensing of a first set of software under a particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access, in response to receipt of said first inquiry and at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network, information pertaining to said particular contract, said information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine, at said management system, a first licensing amount attributable to licensing said first set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said first licensing amount;

instructions for deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

instructions for causing one or more processors to send license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is coupled to said management system via said network, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said first set of software;

instructions for deploying, via said network, said first set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said first set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter include instructions for reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

71. The computer readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding licensing of a second set of software under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said second set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said second set of software to be used under said particular contract.

72. The computer readable medium of claim 71, wherein said first set of software and said second set of software are different sets of software.

73. The computer readable medium of claim 71, wherein said second set of software is an upgraded version of said first set of software.

74. The computer readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding obtaining a service under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a service amount attributable to obtaining said service;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said service amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said service to be rendered under said particular contract.

75. The computer readable medium of claim 74, wherein said service comprises technical support.

76. The computer readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding purchasing a product under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a purchasing amount attributable to purchasing said product;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said purchasing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said product to be purchased under said particular contract.

77. The computer readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding licensing a set of property under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said property;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter, based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said property to be used under said particular contract.

78. The computer readable medium of claim 77, wherein said property comprises intellectual property.

79. The computer readable medium of claim 77, wherein said property comprises proprietary information.

80. The computer readable medium of claim 70, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to reduce said quota parameter by said first licensing amount.

81. The computer readable medium of claim 70, wherein said first inquiry specifies one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein said first licensing amount is determined based, at least partially, upon at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters.

82. The computer readable medium of claim 81, wherein at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters is specifiable by a sender of said first inquiry.

83. The computer readable medium of claim 81, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

84. The computer readable medium of claim 81, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many users may concurrently use said first set of software.

85. The computer readable medium of claim 81, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many copies of said first set of software are desired.

86. The computer readable medium of claim 70, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said first set of software to be used comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to grant a license to use said first set of software for a period of time.

87. The computer readable medium of claim 86, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a request to terminate said license before said period of time has elapsed;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a refund amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount.

88. The computer readable medium of claim 87, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to disallow further use of said first set of software under said particular contract.

89. The computer readable medium of claim 87, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to increase said quota parameter by said refund amount.

90. The computer readable medium of claim 87, wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon an unused portion of said license.

91. The computer readable medium of claim 70, wherein the instructions for deploying the first set of software includes:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a request to deploy said first set of software; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to deploy said first set of software to said software host, wherein said software host may be any host specified by a sender of said request.

92. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to manage a contract, said computer readable medium comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network, a first inquiry regarding licensing of a first set of software under a particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access, at said management system and in response to receipt of said first inquiry at said management system, information pertaining to said particular contract, said information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract, and one or more contract terms associated with said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine, at said management system, a first licensing amount attributable to licensing said first set of software, said first licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said first licensing amount;

instructions for deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

instructions for causing one or more processors to send license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is coupled to said management system via said network, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said first set of software; and

instructions for deploying, via said network, said first set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said first set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter include instructions for reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

93. The computer readable medium of claim 92, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding licensing of a second set of software under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access said information pertaining to said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said second set of software, said second licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said second set of software to be used under said particular contract.

94. The computer readable medium of claim 93, wherein said first set of software and said second set of software are different sets of software.

95. The computer readable medium of claim 93, wherein said second set of software is an upgraded version of said first set of software.

96. The computer readable medium of claim 93, wherein the one or more contract terms applied to determine said first licensing amount are different from the one or more contract terms applied to determine said second licensing amount.

97. The computer readable medium of claim 93, wherein the one or more contract terms applied to determine said first licensing amount are the same as the one or more contract terms applied to determine said second licensing amount.

98. The computer readable medium of claim 92, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding obtaining a service under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a service amount attributable to obtaining said service;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said service amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said service to be rendered under said particular contract.

99. The computer readable medium of claim 98, wherein said service comprises technical support.

100. The computer readable medium of claim 98, wherein said service amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

101. The computer readable medium of claim 92, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding purchasing a product under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a purchasing amount attributable to purchasing said product;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said purchasing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said product to be purchased under said particular contract.

102. The computer readable medium of claim 101, wherein said purchasing amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

103. The computer readable medium of claim 92, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a second inquiry regarding licensing a set of property under said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a second licensing amount attributable to licensing said property;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said second licensing amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said property to be used under said particular contract.

104. The computer readable medium of claim 103, wherein said property comprises intellectual property.

105. The computer readable medium of claim 103, wherein said property comprises proprietary information.

106. The computer readable medium of claim 103, wherein said second licensing amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

107. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises an uplift.

108. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises a discount.

109. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said one or more contract terms comprises a multiplier.

110. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to reduce said quota parameter by said first licensing amount.

111. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said first inquiry specifies one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein said first licensing amount is determined based, at least partially, upon at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters.

112. The computer readable medium of claim 111, wherein at least one of said one or more additional inquiry parameters is specifiable by a sender of said first inquiry.

113. The computer readable medium of claim 111, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

114. The computer readable medium of claim 111, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many users may concurrently use said first set of software.

115. The computer readable medium of claim 111, wherein said one or more additional inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating how many copies of said first set of software are desired.

116. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said first inquiry specifies a set of inquiry parameters, which include a reference to said first set of software and one or more additional inquiry parameters, and wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to determine said first licensing amount comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine, based at least partially upon one or more of said inquiry parameters, which of said one or more contract terms to, apply to said first inquiry.

117. The computer readable medium of claim 116, wherein said set of inquiry parameters comprises a parameter indicating a desired amount of time for which said first set of software is to be licensed.

118. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said first set of software to be used comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to grant a license to use said first set of software for a period of time.

119. The computer readable medium of claim 118, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a request to terminate said license before said period of time has elapsed;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a refund amount; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount.

120. The computer readable medium of claim 118, further comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to disallow further use of said first set of software under said particular contract.

121. The computer readable medium of claim 119, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter based, at least partially, upon said refund amount comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to increase said quota parameter by said refund amount.

122. The computer readable medium of claim 119, wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon an unused portion of said license.

123. The computer readable medium of claim 119, wherein said refund amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

124. The computer readable medium of claim 92, wherein the instructions for deploying said first set of software include:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive a request to deploy said first set of software; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to deploy said first set of software to said software host, wherein said software host may be any host specified by a sender of said request.

125. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to manage a contract, said computer readable medium comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network, an inquiry regarding licensing of a set of software under a particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access, at said management system and in response to receipt of said first inquiry at said management system, a first set of information pertaining to said particular contract, said first set of information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract, and one or more contract terms associated with said particular contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access, at said management system, one or more other sets of information pertaining to one or more other contracts related to said particular contract, each of said other sets of information comprising one or more contract terms associated with one of said other contracts;

instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information at said management system to derive one or more applicable contract terms, that apply to said inquiry;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine, at said management system, a licensing amount attributable to licensing said set of software, said licensing amount determined, at least partially, by applying said one or more applicable contract terms;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said licensing amount;

instructions for deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

instructions for causing one or more processors to send license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is embodied in a machine that is connected, via said network, to a machine in which said management system is embodied, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license terns-parameters relative to said first set of software;

instructions for deploying, via said network, said set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to allow said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and

wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter include instructions for reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

126. The computer readable medium of claim 125, wherein said one or more applicable contract terms may be derived from said first set of information or from any of said one or more other sets of information.

127. The computer readable medium of claim 125, wherein the contract terms associated with each contract may differ, and wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to reconcile said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information to extract therefrom said one or more applicable contract terms.

128. The computer readable medium of claim 127, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to reconcile comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information in a particular order;

instructions for causing one or more processors to search, as each set of information is processed, for a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to, upon finding a first contract term that applies to said inquiry, include said first contract term as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

129. The computer readable medium of claim 128, wherein said first contract term may be found in said first set of information, or in any of said one or more other sets of information.

130. The computer readable medium of claim 125, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine whether said first set of information comprises a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to, in response to a determination that said first set of information does not comprise a contract term that applies to said inquiry, derive said one or more applicable contract terms from said one or more other sets of information.

131. The computer readable medium of claim 130, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to derive said one or more applicable contract terms further comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to, in response to a determination that said first set of information does comprise a contract term that applies to said inquiry, include the contract term that applies to said inquiry as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

132. The computer readable medium of claim 125, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to process said first set of information and said one or more other sets of information in a particular order;

instructions for causing one or more processors to search, as each set of information is processed, for a contract term that applies to said inquiry; and

instructions for causing one or more processors to, upon finding a contract term that applies to said inquiry, include the contract term that applies to said inquiry as one of said one or more applicable contract terms.

133. The computer readable medium of claim 132, wherein the contract term that applies to said inquiry may be found in said first set of information, or in any of said one or more other sets of information.

134. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to manage a contract, said computer readable medium comprising:

instructions for causing one or more processors to receive, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, at a management system that is embodied in a machine that is coupled to said client computer via said network, a request to terminate a license on a set of software, said set of software deployed on a software host configured to execute said set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to access, in response to receipt of said request at said management system, information pertaining to said license, said information comprising a reference to a contract under which said license was granted, said contract having a quota parameter associated therewith which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said contract;

instructions for causing one or more processors to determine a refund amount at said management system;

instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said refund amount;

instructions for deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host;

instructions for causing one or more processors to send license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is embodied in a machine that is connected, via said network, to a machine in which said management system is embodied, (b) communicates with said set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said set of software;

instructions for causing one or more processors to disallow further use of said set of software under said contract; and

wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter include instructions for reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount;

wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.

135. The computer readable medium of claim 134, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to update said quota parameter comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to increase said quota parameter by said refund amount.

136. The computer readable medium of claim 134, wherein said contract has one or more contract terms associated therewith, and wherein said refund amount is determined, at least partially, by applying one or more of said contract terms.

137. The computer readable medium of claim 135, wherein said information pertaining to said license further comprises a licensing amount attributable to licensing said set of software, and wherein said refund amount is determined based, at least partially, upon said licensing amount.

138. The computer readable medium of claim 137, wherein said refund amount is a portion of said licensing amount, and wherein said portion is proportional to an unused portion of said license.

139. The computer readable medium of claim 134, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to disallow further use of said set of software comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to prevent further execution of said set of software.

140. The computer readable medium of claim 139, wherein said instructions for causing one or more processors to prevent comprises:

instructions for causing one or more processors to invalidate an authorization parameter which is required for proper execution of said set of software.