Method for evaluating software freely distributed over the internet

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for evaluating software freely distributed over the Internet are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, licensing system code is inserted into software to be distributed. The code includes a client module associated with the distributed software. A computer operating the software may then by caused to form a connection to a license server over an IP-compliant network responsive to detection by the client module of use of the distributed software on a client computer. The client computer may also be directed to a Web site associated with the distributed software and the user prompted to either purchase the distributed software or evaluate the distributed software for a demonstration period.

1 . A method for evaluating software freely distributed over the Internet comprising: 
 inserting licensing system code into software to be distributed, the code including a client module associated with the distributed software;    forming a connection to a license server over an IP-compliant network responsive to detection by the client module of use of the distributed software on a client computer;    directing the client computer to Web site associated with the distributed software; and    wherein the Web site prompts the user to either purchase the distributed software or evaluate the distributed software for a demonstration period.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the acts of: 
 receiving, by the client computer, a validation from said license server over said connection responsive to an election to either purchase or evaluate said distributed software; and    operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of said validation.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of selectively enabling features of said distributed software.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the act of prompting a user to enter credit card information responsive to a request to enable a selected feature of said distributed software.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of monitoring the use of said distributed software and billing the user according to those features used.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for evaluating software freely distributed over the Internet comprising: 
 client computer means for operating distributed software, the distributed software including licensing system code inserted therein including a client module associated with the distributed software;    means for forming a connection to a license server over an IP-compliant network responsive to detection by the client module of use of the distributed software on the client computer means;    means for directing the client computer to Web site associated with the distributed software; and    wherein the Web site prompts the user to either purchase the distributed software or evaluate the distributed software for a demonstration period.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for receiving a validation from said license server over said connection responsive to an election to either purchase or evaluate said distributed software and operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of said validation.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for selectively enabling features of said distributed software.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising means for prompting a user to enter credit card information responsive to a request to enable a selected feature of said distributed software.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for monitoring the use of said distributed software and billing the user according to those features used.  
   
   
       11 . A computer for operating distributed software comprising: 
 a computer for operating distributed software, the distributed software having licensing system code inserted therein including a client module associated with the distributed software;    the computer being configured to: 
 form a connection to a license server over an IP-compliant network responsive to detection by the client module of use of the distributed software on the computer;  
 direct said computer to Web site associated with the distributed software; and  
 wherein the Web site prompts the user to either purchase the distributed software or evaluate the distributed software for a demonstration period.  
   
   
   
       12 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said computer is further configured to receiving a validation from said license server over said connection responsive to an election to either purchase or evaluate said distributed software and operate said client software application in accordance with the contents of said validation.  
   
   
       13 . The computer of  claim 11  wherein said computer is further configured to selectively enable features of said distributed software.  
   
   
       14 . The computer of  claim 13 , wherein said computer is further configured to prompt a user to enter credit card information responsive to a request to enable a selected feature of said distributed software.  
   
   
       15 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said computer is further configured to monitor the use of said distributed software and billing the user according to those features used.  
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable device for causing a computer to perform a method for evaluating software freely distributed over the Internet, the method comprising: 
 inserting licensing system code into software to be distributed, the code including a client module associated with the distributed software;    forming a connection to a license server over an IP-compliant network responsive to detection by the client module of use of the distributed software on a client computer;    directing the client computer to Web site associated with the distributed software; and    wherein the Web site prompts the user to either purchase the distributed software or evaluate the distributed software for a demonstration period.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising the acts of: 
 receiving, by the client computer, a validation from said license server over said connection responsive to an election to either purchase or evaluate said distributed software; and    operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of said validation.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising the act of selectively enabling features of said distributed software.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising the act of prompting a user to enter credit card information responsive to a request to enable a selected feature of said distributed software.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising the act of monitoring the use of said distributed software and billing the user according to those features used.