Method for purchasing a software license over a public network

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating the purchase of a software license over a public network. In one disclosed embodiment, a license server may receive a license validity inquiry request from a client module over public network. The inquiry request may contain information regarding a client software application associated with the client module. Responsive to the inquiry request, the license server may initiate a license purchase session to facilitate the purchase of a license for the client software application. The server may then process credit card information received from the user for the purchase of a license. The server may then form a response message containing an indication therein enabling the client software application for use responsive to a successful license purchase session. The response message may then be sent to the client module over public network.

1 . A method for purchasing a software license over a public network comprising: 
 receiving a license validity inquiry request from a client module over public network, the inquiry request containing information regarding a client software application associated with the client module;    initiating a license purchase session to facilitate the purchase of a license for the client software application;    processing credit card information received from the user;    responsive to a successful license purchase session, forming a response message containing an indication therein enabling said client software application for use; and    sending said response message to said client module over said public network.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of alternatively forming a response message containing an indication therein not enabling said client software application for use if said license purchase session fails.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of adjusting the price of said license according to the features desired to be enabled.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the act of updating a database to indicate that a valid license has been purchased.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the act of updating said database to include the IP address of the machine upon which purchased client software application is operating.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the act of utilizing said IP address to facilitate the determination of whether a valid license exists.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for determining whether a client software application is licensed comprising: 
 means for receiving a license validity inquiry request from a client module over public network, the inquiry request containing information regarding a client software application associated with the client module;    means for initiating a license purchase session to facilitate the purchase of a license for the client software application;    means for processing credit card information received from the user;    means for forming a response message containing an indication therein enabling said client software application for use responsive to a successful license purchase session; and    means for sending said response message to said client module over said public network.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising means for alternatively forming a response message containing an indication therein not enabling said client software application for use if said license purchase session fails.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising means for adjusting the price of said client software application according to the features desired to be enabled.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means for updating said database to indicate that a valid license has been purchased.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising means for updating said database to include the IP address of the machine upon which purchased client software application is operating.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising means for utilizing said IP address to facilitate the determination of whether a valid license exists.  
   
   
       13 . A computer-readable device containing a set of instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for purchasing a software license over a public network, the method comprising: 
 receiving a license validity inquiry request from a client module over public network, the inquiry request containing information regarding a client software application associated with the client module;    initiating a license purchase session to facilitate the purchase of a license for the client software application;    processing credit card information received from the user;    responsive to a successful license purchase session, forming a response message containing an indication therein enabling said client software application for use; and    sending said response message to said client module over said public network.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , the method further comprising the act of alternatively forming a response message containing an indication therein not enabling said client software application for use if said license purchase session fails.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , the method further comprising the act of adjusting the price of said license according to the features desired to be enabled.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , the method further comprising the act of updating a database to indicate that a valid license has been purchased.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , the method further comprising the act of updating said database to include the IP address of the machine upon which purchased client software application is operating.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , the method further comprising the act of utilizing said IP address to facilitate the determination of whether a valid license exists.