Method for securing software to reduce unauthorized use

• US 20020133712A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David S. Colvin
• Original Assignee: z4 Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Colvin, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,813,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/193
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

A method for reducing unauthorized software use includes supplying a first authorization code with the software. The first authorization code enables the software on a computer for use by a user during an initial period upon entry by the user. The user then contacts the representative for retrieval of an additional authorization code. The software is operable during subsequent periods without further communication with the representative following entry of the additional authorization code. The user chooses either manual or electronic registration and provides registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the additional authorization code. Previously stored registration information is compared with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user. The software is disabled if the user is an unauthorized user or if the additional authorization code is not entered.

Claims

1. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

4. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

6. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including at least a plurality of computer specific information;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user following the step of providing registration information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step transferring the at least one additional authorization code immediately follows the step of providing of registration information.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

9. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user following the step of providing registration information;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

11. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

13. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, registration information including computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

15. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

18. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including at least a plurality of computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

20. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including at least a plurality of computer specific information;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user following the step of providing registration information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step transferring the at least one additional authorization code immediately follows the step of providing of registration information.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein at least a portion of information exchanged between the representative and the user is encrypted.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the previously stored registration information is stored on a database associated with the representative.

23. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user following the step of providing registration information;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

25. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

27. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, registration information including computer specific information; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

29. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

33. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of allowing includes allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative during installation of the software.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of allowing includes allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative during installation of the software.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

36. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including at least a plurality of computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an authorized user;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

39. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an authorized user;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

41. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

43. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to selectively choose either manual or electronic registration and provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.

49. The method of claim 46 wherein the previously stored registration information is stored on a database associated with the representative.

46. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

50. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the step of allowing includes allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative during installation of the software.

53. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including at least a plurality of computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an authorized user;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the step of allowing includes allowing the user to provide registration information to the representative during installation of the software.

57. The method of claim 56 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

59. The method of claim 58 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

56. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

supplying the first authorization code with the software;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an authorized user;

transferring the at least one additional authorization code to the user if the user is an authorized user;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

58. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

transferring the first authorization code with the software;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

at any time during the initial authorization period, requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, the registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user;

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered; and

allowing for registration and the transfer of the at least one additional authorization code following the at least partial disabling of the software to at least substantially restore the software to a fully enabled state.

60. A method for reducing unauthorized software use, the method comprising:

providing a representative to monitor software license compliance;

associating a first authorization code with the software, the first authorization code enabling the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorized period;

requiring the user to enter the first authorization code to at least partially enable the software;

requiring the user to contact the representative for retrieval of at least one additional authorization code, the software being operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the at least one additional authorization code;

requiring the user to provide registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code, registration information including computer specific information;

comparing previously stored registration information related to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer with the registration information provided by the user to the representative prior to retrieval of the at least one additional authorization code to determine if the user is an unauthorized user; and

at least partially disabling the software following the initial authorized period if the at least one additional authorization code is not entered.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising:

at least partially disabling the software if the user is an unauthorized user.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein requiring the user to provide registration information includes allowing the user to provide the registration information to the representative by contacting the representative during installation of the software.