Method and system for managing software licenses

Abstract

A method and system for managing licenses over a network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, and allowing a user or publisher to upload or download licenses from a computer to or from the server. The licenses are then associated with the user account, and the user is allowed to log into the user account to review the account and associated uploaded licenses. The method and system further include allowing the user to review and retrieve the licenses for download to the user computer in the case of a lost or damaged license.

1 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving an upload of one or more of the corresponding licenses from at least one of the publishers to the server;   associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses; and   allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to at least one of a user computer and an external security device connected to the user computer.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the licenses found on the at least one of the computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found. 
   
   
       6 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method, comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving by the server an upload of one or more of the corresponding licenses of the user from at least one of a user computer and an external security device connected to the user computer;   associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses; and   allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to at least one of the user computer or the external security device.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the user computer or the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the licenses found on the at least one of the computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving a transfer of one or more of the corresponding licenses from another account on the server;   associating the transferred licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses; and   allowing the user to retrieve and download the licenses to at least one of a user computer and an external security device connected to the user computer.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the licenses found on the at least one of the computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found. 
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving an upload of one or more the corresponding licenses from at least one of the publishers to the server;   associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage individually each of the licenses associated with the user account according to business rules, wherein manage each of the licenses includes retrieving and downloading the associated licenses to at least one of a user computer and an external security device connected to the user computer, and at least one of:   i. transferring the licenses to another account;   ii. modifying some portion of license information; and   iii. deleting the licenses from the user account.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the at least of the user computer and the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the licenses found on at least one of the computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found. 
   
   
       21 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving by the server an upload of one or more of the corresponding licenses of the user from at least one of a user computer and an external security device;   associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage individually each of the licenses associated with the user account according to business rules, wherein managing each of the licenses includes retrieving and downloading the licenses to the at least one of the user computer and the external security device connected to the user computer and at least one of:   i. transferring the licenses to another account;   ii. modifying some portion of license information; and   iii. deleting the licenses from the user account.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the licenses found on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found. 
   
   
       26 . A method for providing a license management system over a network, the method comprising:
 establishing a user account on a server coupled to the network, wherein the user has obtained a copy of one or more software products from one or more software publishers, and wherein the software products have corresponding licenses;   receiving a transfer of one or more of the corresponding licenses from another account on the server;   associating the uploaded licenses with the user account;   allowing the user to log into the user account and review the account and associated licenses, including allowing the user to manage individually each of the licenses associated with the user account according to business rules, wherein manage each of the licenses includes retrieving and downloading the licenses to at least one of a user computer and an external security device connected to the user computer and at least one of:
 i. transferring the licenses to another account; 
 ii. modifying some portion of license information; and 
 iii. deleting the licenses from the user account. 
   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein downloaded licenses and locations of the downloaded licenses are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the downloaded licenses and the locations of the downloaded licenses. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  further including replacing the licenses accessed on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device with time-limited licenses, and requiring the user to connect with the server on a regular basis to receive updated licenses to maintain licensed use of the software products. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising:
 searching for the licenses stored on the at least one of the user computer and the external security device.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the licenses found on at least one of the user computer and the external security device and locations of the licenses found are represented in the user account, the method further comprising allowing the user to log into the user account and review the licenses found and the locations of the licenses found.