Method for determining whether a client software application is licensed

Abstract

Method and apparatus for determining whether a client software application is licensed are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a computer for operating a licensed client software application is provided that includes a client module associated with the client software application. The client module is configured to detect the use of the client software application. Upon a detection, the client module then sends a license validity inquiry request regarding the client software application to a license server over an IP-compliant connection. The client software application is then operated in accordance with the contents of a response message received from the license server.

1 . A method for determining whether a client software application is licensed comprising: 
 detecting the use of the client software application by a client module associated with the client software application;    sending, by the client module, a license validity inquiry request regarding said client software application to a license server over an IP-compliant connection; and    operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of a response message received from the license server.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising directing a user of said client software application to a Web site if it is determined that no valid license exists.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the client software application is not enabled for use until a valid license is purchased.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said license validity request is sent at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said license validity request includes the IP address of the machine upon which the client software application is operating.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for determining whether a client software application is licensed comprising: 
 means for detecting the use of the client software application by a client module associated with the client software application;    means for sending a license validity inquiry request regarding said client software application to a license server over an IP-compliant connection; and    means for operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of a response message received from the license server.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for directing a user of said client software application to a Web site if it is determined that no valid license exists.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for not enabling the client software application for use until a valid license is purchased.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for sending said license validity request at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising means for including the IP address of the machine upon which the client software application is operating in said license validity request.  
   
   
       11 . A computer for determining whether a hosted client software application is licensed comprising: 
 a computer for operating a licensed client software application;    a client module associated with the client software application operatively disposed on said computer;    the client module being configured to: 
 detect the use of the client software application;  
 send a license validity inquiry request regarding said client software application to a license server over an IP-compliant connection; and  
 operate said client software application in accordance with the contents of a response message received from the license server.  
   
   
   
       12 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said client module is further configured to direct a user of said client software application to a Web site if it is determined that no valid license exists.  
   
   
       13 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said client module is further configured to not enable said client software application until a valid license is purchased.  
   
   
       14 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said license validity request is sent at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       15 . The computer of  claim 11 , wherein said license validity request includes the IP address of the machine upon which the client software application is operating.  
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable device for causing a computer to perform a method for determining whether a client software application is licensed, the method comprising: 
 detecting the use of the client software application by a client module associated with the client software application;    sending, by the client module, a license validity inquiry request regarding said client software application to a license server over an IP-compliant connection; and    operating said client software application in accordance with the contents of a response message received from the license server.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising directing a user of said client software application to a Web site if it is determined that no valid license exists.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the client software application is not enabled for use until a valid license is purchased.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said license validity request is sent at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said license validity request includes the IP address of the machine upon which the client software application is operating.