Novell, Inc.

Other

Cliff D Ross

Neil W Taylor

Howard Rollin Davis

Kevin W Kingdon

Drew Major

A method and apparatus that allows for the distribution of electronic licenses is disclosed. The method and apparatus may be used in a network or non-network environment to facilitate product licensing and upgrades. Further, the method and apparatus accommodate the use of compact disc read-only media (CD ROM) product distribution. The method and apparatus provide the ability to disable electronically distributed material. Further, the method and apparatus provide the ability to license use of the material by some entity in the distribution chain. The method and apparatus protect multiple electronic licenses by disabling the license such that an enabler key is necessary to enable a license for use. The method and apparatus reduce the cost of electronic distribution by providing the ability to distribute multiple products, product versions, and licenses that are unusable prior to the execution of an enablement procedure. The method and apparatus provide the ability to take advantage of the benefits of CD ROM, or any other (high capacity or otherwise), distribution media. For example, a generic distribution CD-ROM can be manufactured for a wider enduser base that contains multiple product and licensing options. An enduser can contact a fulfillment entity to purchase products contained on the distribution CD-ROM. In return, the enduser receives enabling information that can be used with an enablement procedure operating on the consumer's computer system to enable the purchased product(s). The method and apparatus can be used with a network server product that limits connection access electronically using connection-stratified server connection licenses or connection-stratified server executable files.

Method and apparatus for electronic license distribution

The present invention allows for the electronic management and enforcement of software licenses. The present invention can be used in a network or non-network environment to facilitate product licensing and upgrades. Further, the present invention accommodates the use of compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM) product distribution. Further, the present invention can retain useful, after-market information. The present invention provides the ability to implement a license policy. Further, the license policy can be implemented or modified without requiring a new version of the associated product. The present invention provides the ability to create electronic licenses. Further, the present invention provides the ability to extract and transfer licenses from an inventory of licenses to a final distribution media. Licenses can be transferred to a reseller in batches. A reseller can extract unused licenses from these batches to generate licenses. An optional companion license can be generated. Installed licenses can be managed and enforced by the present invention. Further, Upgrades (e.g., version and connections) can be accomplished independent of the product. License documents can be used to retain information related to a license. Portions of a license document can be encrypted using a private key and message digests. The encrypted result can be stored in the license document, and examined to validate a license. License documents can be created in batches. One or more licenses in a batch of licenses can be enabled to create a software license.

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Pleasant Grove, UT, United States of America

Cliff D Ross