Method and apparatus for distributing information products

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing information products is described that comprises: receiving a launch code that comprises a candidate authentication code and an explicit first indicium of a first information product; decrypting the launch code with a string, R, as the key to recover the candidate authentication code; and installing the first information product into a computer when the candidate authentication code matches a first known authentication code.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a launch code that comprises a candidate authentication code and an explicit first indicium of a first information product;    decrypting said launch code with a string, R, as the key to recover said candidate authentication code; and    installing said first information product into a computer when said candidate authentication code matches a first known authentication code.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said launch code further comprises a first indicium of a second information product.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said launch code further comprises a first indicium of a second information product, and further comprising installing said second information product into said computer when said candidate authentication code matches said first known authentication code.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said launch code further comprises an indicium of when the authorization for said first information product expires.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said launch code further comprises a first indicium of a second information product, and an indicium of when the authorization for said second information product expires.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said launch code further comprises an indicium of an end-user for whom said launch code is created.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 creating a token comprising a second known authentication code and a second indicium of said first information product;  
 encrypting said token with a string, T, to create an encrypted token; and  
 storing said encrypted token on said computer.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said encrypted token further comprises an indicium of when the authorization for said first information product expires.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said encrypted token further comprises a first indicium of a second information product.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said encrypted token further comprises an indicium of an end-user for whom said launch code is created.  
     
     
         11 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a launch code that comprises a first indicium of a first information product and a first indicium of a second information product;    installing said first information product and second information product into a computer.