Authorizing use of a computer program

• US 8,365,303 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flexera Software LLC
• Original Assignee: Optimiser Pty, Ltd.
• Inventors: Mullins, Leo Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Parthasarathy, Pramila
• Application Number:
  US12/730,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20100275268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1015 to users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists

Abstract

A method of authorising use of a computer program only able to be used when an authorised message is received from an authorising system includes providing an authorisation system, making a request to use a computer program, signalling the request to the authorisation system, the authorisation system recording the use of the computer program and providing the authorisation message to the computer program upon receipt of the authorisation message the computer program may be used.

Claims

1. A method of authorizing use of a computer program with an authorization system, said method comprising:

recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the authorization system;

registering a user with the authorization system including sending a user identification to the user from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

recording an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user on the authorization system;

receiving at the authorization system a request from the user to use the computer program;

receiving at the authorization system a computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message;

verifying at the authorization system the identity of the user from the user identification and checking the agreement to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

recording on the authorization system the information sent with the request message;

indicating to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program

thereby disallowing use of the computer program.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is a sub-component of the software application.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the login request message is sent to the authorization system when the user requests to use the sub-component of the software application.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a use message from the computer program indicating that the computer program is being used after use of the computer program is allowed; and

recording the use message against the identified user.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to incur a charge for the use of the computer program after use of the computer program is allowed.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization denied message includes information relating to the reason for denying use of the computer program.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the agreement permits use of computer program by a class of user.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the agreement specifies whether the user is charged for use of the computer program.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the charge for use of the computer program is determined by terms of the agreement relating to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the use.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein an interface program signals the login request to the authorization system.

13. A method according to claim 6, wherein the charge is recorded in program use units that operate as a currency for payment for use of one or more computer programs.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the rate at which program use units are charged for use of the particular program is recorded in the authorization system.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the program use units are charged by the authorization system upon receipt of the request to charge for use at the recorded rate.

16. A method according to claim 6, wherein the request to the authorization system to charge the user is sent once per use of the computer program.

17. A method according to claim 6, wherein the request to the authorization system to charge the user is sent once per specified period during the use of the computer program.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the communication between the interface program and the authorization system is encrypted.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein messages sent between the interface program and the authorization system includes a unique component that is only valid for a single use.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user identification is obtained from the user by providing the user with a login prompt, the user entering the login identification provided by the authorization system and the entered user identification being included in the login request.

21. A method according to claim 12, wherein the interface program is a separate program called by the computer program being authorized as part of the initialisation of the computer program.

22. A method according to claim 12, wherein the interface program forms part of the computer program and is started when a user attempts to use the computer program.

23. A method according to claim 12, wherein the interface program is part of an operating system and is started when a user attempts to use the computer program.

24. A method according to claim 12, wherein the authorization system is at a location remote from a computer running the activated computer program.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the computer running the activated computer program also runs the interface program, the interface program communicates with the authorization system over a computer network.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization system is configured to authorize and record use of a plurality of computer programs.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization system is configured to authorize and record use of a plurality of users of the same computer program.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization of use of the computer program ends when the computer program is terminated.

29. A method according to claim 1, wherein a message is periodically received by the authorization system, and a reply is sent from the authorization system, whereby the reply is constructed so that if a reply is not received, authorization of use of the computer program ends.

44. A method according to claim 6, further comprising recording a charge against the identified user for the use of the computer program.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the agreement specifies whether the user is permitted to use the sub-component of the software application.

46. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein communication between the authorization system and a computer loaded with the computer program to be authorized, occurs between geographically separated locations over a global communication network.

47. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the login request message is sent from a remote site to the authorization system.

48. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

registering a second distinct user including sending a second user identification to the second user;

recording a second agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the second user;

receiving a second request for the second user to use the computer program in a second request message;

receiving a computer program identifier and a second user identification in a second login request message;

verifying the identity of the second user from the second user identification and checking the second agreement to determine whether the second user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

recording information sent in the second request message;

indicating to the computer program whether the second user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the second user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the second user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent to the computer program.

52. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a periodic request to incur a charge for use of the computer program for each time period in which the computer program is in use after use of the computer program is allowed.

53. A method according to claim 10, wherein the agreement specifies free use of the computer program in some circumstances and paid use of the computer program in other circumstances.

54. A method according to claim 45, wherein the agreement specifies free use of some sub-components of the computer program and paid use of other sub-components of the computer program.

55. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises charging the user for use of the computer program.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the user is charged for use of the computer program on a time basis.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein the charging on a time basis comprises incurring a charge for use of the computer program according to the period of use of the computer program.

58. A method according to claim 56, wherein the charging on a time basis comprises incurring a charge for use of the computer program after each of a period of time passes over which the computer program is in use.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein the method further comprises consuming use credits for each period of time in which the computer program is used, such that the user is charged or billed for the period of use of the computer program.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein the use credits are prepaid use credits.

61. A method according to claim 56, wherein the charging on a time basis comprises receiving a subscription fee for use of the computer program during a period of time.

62. A method according to claim 1, wherein checking the agreement to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier comprises checking to determined whether the user had paid for use of the computer program during a time period in which the user seeks to use the computer program.

63. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises sending a confirmation that a charge has been incurred to the computer on which the computer program is authorized to be used in response to the request to incur a charge for use of the computer program.

64. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s account creditability is validated by checking whether sufficient credit is available in the user'"'"'s account.

65. A method according to claim 55, wherein the method further comprises recording a price for use of the computer program and a frequency of required payment of the price in the authorization system.

66. A method according to claim 55, wherein the method further comprises recording a price for use of the computer program in the authorization system, wherein the price is a one-off charge for use of the computer program.

67. A method according to claim 55, wherein the method further comprises receiving from a software vendor the price for use of the computer program.

68. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user identification comprises one or both of an account user name and a password.

69. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user identification is personal to the user irrespective of a computer on which the computer program is sought to be used.

70. A method according to claim 1, wherein registration of the user comprises creating an account with a provider of the computer program.

71. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a computer with a locked computer program that is able to be unlocked for use when the computer program receives the authorization message.

72. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization system runs on a server device connected to a network which enables communication between the authorization system and a computer on which the computer program is sought to be used.

73. A method according to claim 29, wherein the message periodically received by the authorization system is a communication confirmation message sent by the user computer after the user is authorized to use the computer program.

74. A method according to claim 1, wherein verifying the identity of the user from the user identification comprises determining whether the user identification recorded in a memory device of the authorization system matches the user identification received in the login request message.

75. A method according to claim 1, wherein checking the agreement recorded to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier comprises determining whether the computer program identifier received in the login request message matches the recorded identifier of a computer program and checking the agreement to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier received in the login request message.

76. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a second login request message from a different computer that sent the first mentioned login request message, the second login request message comprising a computer program identifier of a second installation of the same computer program and a user identification from the same user.

77. A method according to claim 76, further comprising

verifying at the authorization system the identity of the user from the user identification receiving in the second login request and checking the agreement to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier of the second login request;

and

indicating to the computer program installed on the second computer whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby disallowing use of the computer program.

78. A method according to claim 1, wherein the computer program comprises a game.

79. A method according to claim 10, wherein the charge for use of the computer program is a single charge for an unlimited use of the computer program.

2. A method of authorizing use of a computer program using an authorization system and an interface configured to pass messages between the computer program and the authorization system, said method comprising:

recording at the authorization system an identifier of the computer program to be authorized for use;

registering a user on the authorization system including sending a user identification from the authorization system to the user, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

recording on the authorization system an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user;

receiving at the authorization system a request from the user to use the computer program, the request activating the interface;

receiving at the authorization system the user identification from the interface in a login request message, the interface having received the user identification from the user;

verifying the identity of the user from the user identification, and if the identity of the user is verified, then sending a login successful message from the authorization system to the interface;

receiving the computer program identifier at the authorization system from the interface in a computer program user request message if a login successful message is received at the computer program by the interface;

recording at the authorization system the information sent in the user request message;

checking the agreement on the authorization system to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

sending an authorization message from the authorization system to the interface if the user is authorized to use the computer program, otherwise sending an authorization denied message from the authorization system to the interface; and

allowing use of the computer program by the user upon receipt by the interface of the authorization message.

8. A method according to claim 2, wherein if an authorization denied message is sent to the computer program, then the interface determines how to proceed based on information relating to the reason for denying use of the computer program.

43. A method according to claim 2, wherein the computer program is a software application.

30. A distributed system for authorizing use of a computer program, said system comprising:

an authorization system, the authorization system including a storage device for recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use, a user identification and an agreement that relates to the authorized use of the computer program by a user, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program; and

a computer for running the computer program;

the computer being configured to send the identifier of the computer program and the user identification to the authorization system in a login request message when the user makes a request to use the computer program;

the authorization system being configured to verify the identity of the user from the recorded user identification and to check the agreement to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

the authorization system being configured to record the information sent with the login request message;

the authorization system being configured to send an authorization message to the computer if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program and otherwise to send an authorization denied message to the computer; and

the computer being configured to continue use of the computer program upon receipt of the authorization message but otherwise to terminate the use of the computer program.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer is configured to send a request to the authorization system to record a charge or the use of the computer program against the identified user for use of the computer program.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein the authorization system is configured to record the rate of charge for the use of the computer program.

33. A system according to claim 30, wherein the authorization system is configured to record a charge against the user upon receipt of the request to charge for use of the computer program.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the computer is configured to send a request to the authorization system to charge the user once per use of the computer program.

35. A system according to claim 33, wherein the computer is configured to send a request to the authorization system to charge the user is sent once per specified period during the use of the computer program.

36. A system according to claim 30, wherein the communication between the computer program and the authorization system is encrypted.

37. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer and the authorization system are configured to include a unique component in the encrypted messages communicated therebetween.

38. A system according to claim 30, wherein the authorization system is at a location remote from a computer running the activated computer program.

39. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer running the activated computer program also runs an interface program, that configures the computer to send the login request message to the authorization system and also configures the computer to receive the authorization message from the authorization system and to allow continued use of the computer program upon receipt of the authorization message.

40. A system according to claim 30, wherein the authorization system is configured to authorize and record use of a plurality of computer programs.

41. A system according to claim 30, wherein the authorization system is configured to end the authorized use of the computer program when the computer program is terminated.

42. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer is configured to periodically send a message to the authorization system, and to receive a reply sent from the authorization system, whereby if a reply is not received, then the computer is configured to end authorized use of the computer program.

49. An authorization system for authorizing use of a computer program, the authorization system comprising:

a storage of agreements, each agreement comprising data representing a manner of authorized use of a computer program by a user, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

a server configured to lookupage and retrieve agreements, wherein each agreement retrieved is based on a received computer program identifier and a received user identifier;

an interface module associated with an installation of a computer program which is activated upon a user seeking to use at least part of the installation of the computer program, the interface module being configured to login a user for identifying the user, and send a user identifier and an identifier of the associated computer program to the server, the interface module being further configured to allow use of the installation of the computer program by the user according to the details in a received authorization message; and

an authorization module configured to access the retrieved agreement to determine whether the identified user is permitted to use the at least part of the computer program and in the event that the user is permitted the authorization module is configured to send an authorization message to the interface module, the authorization message comprising details of the manner of use authorized according to the retrieved agreement.

50. A method of authorizing use of a computer program, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of agreements, each agreement comprising data representing a manner of authorized use of a computer program by a user, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

activating an interface module associated with an installation of a computer program when a user seeks to use at least a part of the installation of the computer program;

identifying a user using a login;

sending a user identifier and an identifier of the computer program to a server;

looking-upage and retrieving by the server one of the agreements based on the received identifier of the computer program and the received user identifier;

accessing the retrieved agreement to determine whether the identified user is permitted to use at least part of the computer program, and in the event that the user is permitted, sending an authorization message to the interface module, the authorization message comprising details of the manner of use authorized according to the retrieved agreement; and

allowing use of the installation of the computer program by the user according to the details in the authorization message.

51. A method of authorizing use of a computer program, with an authorization system, said method comprising:

recording on the authorization system an identifier of each of a plurality of computer programs to be authorized for use;

registering a plurality of users with the authorization system including sending a respective user identification to each user from the authorization system, wherein each user is a person seeking to use a computer program;

recording on the authorization system an agreement that relates to the manner of permitted use of one or more of the computer programs for each user and a rate at which each user is charged for use of the one or more computer programs, wherein the agreement covers whether the requesting user is permitted to use one or more sub-components of the one or more computer programs;

receiving at the authorization system a request for one of the users to use an instance of one of the computer programs;

receiving at the authorization system a computer program identifier corresponding to the requested computer program and a respective user identification provided by the requesting user in a login request message;

verifying at the authorization system the identity of the requesting user from the received user identification and checking the respective agreement to determine whether the requesting user is permitted to use the requested computer program identified by the received computer program identifier;

recording on the authorization system information sent with the request;

indicating to the instance of the requested computer program whether the requesting user is permitted to use the requested computer program by sending either an authorization message or an authorization denied message, where if the requesting user is verified and permitted to use the requested computer program, an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the instance of the requested computer program, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the instance of the requested computer program, wherein the authorization message is configured to allow use of one or more of the permitted sub-components of the instance of the requested computer program according to the agreement for the use of the requested computer program by the requesting user;

receiving one or more requests to incur a charge for use of the requested computer program after use of the instance of the requested computer program is allowed;

recording a charge on the authorization system for use of the requested computer program upon receipt of the or each request to incur a charge, wherein the charge is recorded according to the rate in the agreement for use of the requested computer program by the requesting user;

receiving a message periodically sent to the authorization system by the authorized instance of the requested computer program; and

sending a reply from the authorization system to the authorized instance of the requested computer program, wherein the reply is configured such that if the reply is not received, authorization of use of the instance of the requested computer program ends,

wherein each periodic message sent between the instance of the requested computer program and the authorization system includes a unique component that is only valid for a single use.

80. A method of seeking authorization of a computer program to be run on a user'"'"'s computer by an authorization system, said method comprising

recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the user'"'"'s computer;

receiving user identification from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of the computer program;

sending to the authorization system an indication of an agreement by the user to an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user;

sending a request from to use the computer program from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system;

sending the recorded computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system so that the authorization system is able to verify the identity of the user from the send user identification and so that the authorization system is able to check the agreement agreed to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier; and

receiving at the user'"'"'s computer an indication sent from the authorization system to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then the computer program is allowed to proceed, but otherwise use of the computer program is denied.

81. A method according to claim 80, further comprising:

sending a use message from the computer program indicating that the computer program is being used after use of the computer program is allowed.

82. A method according to claim 80, further comprising:

sending a request to incur a charge for the use of the computer program after use of the computer program is allowed.

83. A method according to claim 80, further comprising:

sending a periodic request to incur a charge for use of the computer program for of a period of time that passes in which the computer program is in use after use of the computer program is allowed.

84. A method according to claim 80, further comprising sending a subscription fee for use of the computer program during a period of time to the authorization system.

85. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises receiving a confirmation that a charge has been incurred to the computer on which the computer program is authorized to be used in response to a request to incur a charge for use of the computer program.

86. A method according to claim 80, wherein an interface program signals the login request to the authorization system.

87. A method according to claim 86, wherein if an authorization denied message is sent to the computer program, then the interface determines how to proceed based on information relating to the reason for denying use of the computer program.

88. A method according to claim 86, wherein the interface program is a separate program called by the computer program being authorized as part of the initialization of the computer program.

89. A method according to claim 86, wherein the interface program forms part of the computer program and is started when a user attempts to use the computer program.

90. A method according to claim 86, wherein the interface program is part of an operating system and is started when a user attempts to use the computer program.

91. A method according to claim 80, wherein the computer running the activated computer program also runs the interface program, the interface program communicates with the authorization system over a computer network.

92. A method according to claim 80, wherein the authorization of use of the computer program ends when the computer program is terminated.

93. A method according to claim 80, wherein a message is periodically sent to the authorization system, and a valid reply is expected to be received from the authorization system, whereby if a valid reply is not received, authorization of use of the computer program ends.

94. A method according to claim 80, wherein the user identification is personal to the user irrespective of a computer on which the computer program is sought to be used.

95. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises receiving a locked computer program that is able to be unlocked for use when the computer program receives the authorization message.

96. A method according to claim 80, wherein the message periodically sent to the authorization system is a communication confirmation message sent by the user computer after the user is authorized to use the computer program.

97. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises sending information to a registration system necessary to register the user with the authorization system.

98. A method according to claim 80, wherein information necessary to register the user comprises the indication that the user agrees to the agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program.

99. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises sending a request to incur a charge for use of the computer program.

100. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises sending a periodic request to incur a charge for use of the computer program for each time period in which the computer program is in use.

101. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method comprises activating the computer program for use and the computer program calling a login sub-routine for receiving login information from the user and for sending the login information to the authorization system in the request to use the computer program.

102. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method comprises activating the computer program for use and the computer program calling a login sub-routine for retrieving previously provided login information identifying the user and for sending the login information to the authorization system in the request to use the computer program.

103. A method according to claim 80, wherein the method further comprises waiting for the login sub-routine to return a message indicating that the user is logged in, wherein the user is logged in when the login sub-routine received the authorization message.

104. A method of authorizing use of a computer program, said method comprising:

recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the authorization system;

recording the identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the user'"'"'s computer;

registering a user with the authorization system including sending a user identification to the user from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

receiving user identification from the authorization system;

recording an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user on the authorization system;

sending to the authorization system an indication of an agreement by the user to the agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user;

sending a request from to use the computer program from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system;

receiving at the authorization system the request from the user to use the computer program;

sending the recorded computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system

receiving at the authorization system a computer program identifier and the user identification in the login request message;

verifying at the authorization system the identity of the user from the user identification and checking the agreement to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

recording on the authorization system the information sent with the request message;

indicating to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program; and

receiving at the user'"'"'s computer a message sent from the authorization system to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if an authorization message is received then the computer program is allowed to proceed, but otherwise use of the computer program is denied.

105. An authorization system for authorizing a user to use a computer program on a computer, said system comprising:

a memory for recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the authorization system and for recording an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user on the authorization system;

a registration module for registering a user with the authorization system including sending a user identification to the user from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program, where in the user identification is recorded in the memory;

a receiver for receiving a request from the user to use the computer program and for receiving a computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message;

a processor configured to verify the identity of the user from the user identification and checking the agreement to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier; and

a transmitter for indicating to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby disallowing use of the computer program.

106. A system according to claim 105, wherein the receiver is also for receiving a use message from the computer program indicating that the computer program is being used after use of the computer program is allowed;

and, wherein the memory is also for recording the use message against the identified user.

107. A system according to claim 105, wherein the receiver is also for receiving a request to incur a charge for the use of the computer program after use of the computer program is allowed.

108. A system according to claim 107, wherein the processor is also configured to charge the user for use of the computer program according to terms of the agreement relating to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user.

109. A system according to claim 108, wherein the memory is also for recording a charge against the identified user for the use of the computer program.

110. A system according to claim 108, wherein the processor is also configured to charge on a time basis comprising recording a charge in the memory for use of the computer program according to the period of use of the computer program.

111. A system according to claim 108, wherein the processor is also configured to charge on a time basis comprises recording a charge in the memory for use of the computer program after each of a period of time passes over which the computer program is in use.

112. A system according to claim 108, wherein the processor is also configured to consume use credits for each period of time in which the computer program is used, such that the user is charged or billed for the period of use of the computer program.

113. A system according to claim 108, the transmitter is also for sending a confirmation that a charge has been incurred to the computer on which the computer program is authorized to be used in response to the request to incur a charge for use of the computer program.

114. A system according to claim 105, wherein the receiver is also for receiving a periodic communication message and the transmitter is also for sending a reply to the communication message, whereby the reply is constructed so that if a reply is not received, authorization of use of the computer program ends.

115. A system according to claim 105, wherein the registration module is also for registering a second distinct user including sending a second user identification to the second user;

the memory is also for recording a second agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the second user;

the receiver is also for receiving a second request for the second user to use the computer program in a second request message, and receiving a computer program identifier and a second user identification in a second login request message;

the processor is also configured to verify the identity of the second user from the second user identification and checking the second agreement to determine whether the second user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

the transmitter is also for sending an indication to the computer program whether the second user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the second user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the second user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent to the computer program.

116. A system according to claim 105, wherein the registration module is also for creating an account with a provider of the computer program.

117. A system according to claim 105, wherein the processor is also configured to verify the identity of the user from the user identification by determining whether the user identification recorded in the memory matches the user identification received in the login request message.

118. A system according to claim 105, wherein the processor is also configured to determine whether the computer program identifier received in the login request message matches the recorded identifier of a computer program and check the agreement to determine whether the user is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier received in the login request message.

119. A system according to claim 105, wherein the receiver is also for receiving a second login request message from a different computer that sent the first mentioned login request message, the second login request message comprising a computer program identifier of a second installation of the same computer program and a user identification from the same user.

120. A computer configured in a manner that seeks authorization from an authorization system for use of a computer program to be run on the computer, said computer comprising;

a memory for recording an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the user'"'"'s computer;

a receiver for receiving user identification from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of the computer program; and

a transmitter for;

sending to the authorization system an indication of an agreement by the user to an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user;

sending a request from to use the computer program from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system; and

sending the recorded computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system so that the authorization system is able to verify the identity of the user from the send user identification and so that the authorization system is able to check the agreement agreed to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier;

the receiver also for receiving at the user'"'"'s computer an indication sent from the authorization system to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then the computer program is allowed to proceed, but otherwise use of the computer program is denied.

121. A computer program product comprising instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage tangible medium that when executed control a computer to operate as an authorization system which is configured to

record an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the authorization system;

register a user with the authorization system including sending a user identification to the user from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of a computer program;

record an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user on the authorization system;

receive at the authorization system a request from the user to use the computer program;

receive at the authorization system a computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message;

verify at the authorization system the identity of the user from the user identification and checking the agreement to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier; and

record on the authorization system the information sent with the request message;

indicate to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then an authorization message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby allowing use of the computer program by the user, otherwise an authorization denied message is sent from the authorization system to the computer program thereby disallowing use of the computer program.

122. A computer program product comprising instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage tangible medium that when executed control a computer to operate the computer to seek authorization from an authorization system for use of a computer program to be run on the computer, the computer being configured to

record an identifier of a computer program to be authorized for use on the user'"'"'s computer;

receive user identification from the authorization system, wherein the user is a person seeking use of the computer program;

send to the authorization system an indication of an agreement by the user to an agreement that relates to the manner of authorized use of the computer program by the user;

send a request from to use the computer program from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system; and

send the recorded computer program identifier and a user identification in a login request message from the user'"'"'s computer to the authorization system so that the authorization system is able to verify the identity of the user from the send user identification and so that the authorization system is able to check the agreement agreed to determine whether the user identified by the received user identification is authorized to use the computer program identified by the computer program identifier; and

receive at the user'"'"'s computer an indication sent from the authorization system to the computer program whether the user is authorized to use the computer program, where if the user is verified and authorized to use the computer program, then the computer program is allowed to proceed, but otherwise use of the computer program is denied.