The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 09, 1997
Arshad Ahmad, Bellevue, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring the use of a rented software program module. A rented software program module is downloaded from an Internet site operated by an authorized software rental service provider along with a Check-in/Check-out module and a Software Monitor module. The Check-in/Check-out module provides required licensing information for the rented software program module to the Software Monitor module. The Software Monitor module monitors use of the rented software program module while it is in use by the user. Particularly, the Software Monitor prevents use of the rented software program module after the expiration of the licensed usage time or licensed number of uses. The Software Monitor prevents unauthorized copying of the software program module. The desired software program module may be rented on a pay-per-use basis.