US5758068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for software license management
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1995-09-19
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2015-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A license key with method of implementation is disclosed. The license key is used for accessing a licensed product on an enterprise computer system. Typically, the enterprise computer system includes a plurality of computer systems, but the computer systems are not necessarily interconnected. A first identifier code from the enterprise computer system, such as the system serial number, is used for allowing the license key to identify the enterprise. A second identifier code from a computer within the enterprise system is used, which is typically a serial number from the computer to identify it to the license key as being part of the enterprise system. Lastly, a third identifier code is used, which is selected from the licensed product to be used on the enterprise system and is tied to the enterprise system number, thereby allowing the licensed program to be accessed on the enterprise system with only a single key, irrespective of the number of computers accessing the licensed program. The setup of the license key, along with calling the identifier codes from the enterprise system, each computer, and the license product, is performed by a license manager, which also provides other services based upon the license key. The license manager provides either usage control, access control, or both, based upon information generated by the license key and found within a product information packet provided with the licensed product and based upon the enterprise system.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcia Lynn Brandt
- 👤 George Francis Destefano
- 👤 Eric Leonard Fosdick
- 👤 Ramila Alexandra Mehta
- 👤 Teresa McConville Prokop
- 👤 Kevin Patrick Stamschror
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/105; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for software license management for a licensed program within an enterprise computer system which includes a plurality of computers, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first identifier code utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said enterprise computer system; generating a second identifier code within said enterprise computer system utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with a computer within said enterprise computer system and at least a portion of said first identifier code; generating a third identifier code associated with said licensed program utilizing at least a portion of said first identifier code and at least a portion of said second identifier code; and controlling usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code such that usage of said licensed program may be controlled throughout said enterprise computer system irrespective of the number of computers within said computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for software license management for a licensed program within an enterprise computer system which includes a plurality of computers, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first identifier code utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said enterprise computer system; generating a second identifier code within said enterprise computer system utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with a computer within said enterprise computer system and at least a portion of said first identifier code; generating a third identifier code associated with said licensed program utilizing at least a portion of said first identifier code and at least a portion of said second identifier code; and controlling usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code such that usage of said licensed program may be controlled throughout said enterprise computer system irrespective of the number of computers within said computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for software license management according to claim 1, wherein said step generating a third identifier code associated with said license program further comprises the step of utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said licensed program to generate said third identifier code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method for software license management for a license program within an enterprise computer system according to claim 1, wherein said step of controlling the usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code further comprises the step of providing a grace period of use that, upon expiration, is extendable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer program product for software license management for a licensed program within an enterprise computer system, said computer program product embodied within computer-readable media adapted to be utilized within a computer, said computer program product comprising: instruction means generating a first identifier code utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said enterprise computer system; instruction means generating a second identifier code within said enterprise computer system utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said computer and at least a portion of said first identifier code; instruction means generating a third identifier code associated with said licensed program utilizing at least a portion of said first identifier code and at least a portion of said second identifier code; and instruction means controlling usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code such that usage of said licensed program may be controlled throughout said enterprise computer system irrespective of the number of computers within said computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer program product for software license management for a licensed program within an enterprise computer system, said computer program product embodied within computer-readable media adapted to be utilized within a computer, said computer program product comprising: instruction means generating a first identifier code utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said enterprise computer system; instruction means generating a second identifier code within said enterprise computer system utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said computer and at least a portion of said first identifier code; instruction means generating a third identifier code associated with said licensed program utilizing at least a portion of said first identifier code and at least a portion of said second identifier code; and instruction means controlling usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code such that usage of said licensed program may be controlled throughout said enterprise computer system irrespective of the number of computers within said computer system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program product according to claim 4, wherein said instruction means for generating a third identifier associated with said licensed program further comprises instruction means for utilizing at least a portion of a serial number associated with said licensed program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer program product according to claim 4, wherein said instruction means for controlling the usage of said licensed program at any point within said enterprise computer system utilizing either said first identifier code in combination with said third identifier code or said second identifier code in combination with said third identifier code further comprises instruction means for providing a grace period of use that, upon expiration, is that, upon expiration, is extendable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |