Offering additional license terms during conversion of standard software licenses for use in cloud computing environments

Abstract

A processor receives, from a software vendor system, a rule for converting a software license associated with a software program to a cloud software license associated with using the software program in a cloud computing environment, and receives, from an owner computer of the software license, a request to convert the software license to the cloud software license. The request includes an identifier of the software vendor system and a license identifier. The processor identifies the rule for converting the software license to the cloud software license in view of the received identifier of the software vendor system and the license identifier and converts the software license to the cloud software license in response to the request by changing one or more terms of the software license, in view of the rule, wherein the cloud software license controls usage of a subscription for the software program in the cloud computing environment. The processor transmits the cloud software license to the owner computer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a processor from a software vendor system, a rule for converting a software license associated with a software program to a cloud software license associated with using the software program in a cloud computing environment;   receiving, by the processor from an owner computer of the software license, a request to convert the software license to the cloud software license, the request comprising an identifier of the software vendor system and a license identifier, wherein the license identifier corresponds to the software license;   identifying, by the processor in view of the received identifier of the software vendor system and the license identifier, the rule for converting the software license to the cloud software license;   converting, by the processor, the software license to the cloud software license, in response to the request by changing one or more terms of the software license, in view of the rule, wherein the cloud software license controls usage of a subscription for the software program in the cloud computing environment; and   transmitting, by the processor, the cloud software license to the owner computer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscription for the software program comprises entitlement to technical support for the software program and updates to the software program. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents an update to the software program if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents creation of a technical support ticket if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 offering, to the owner computer of the software license, additional license terms for purchase;   modifying the cloud software license in response to the owner computer purchasing at least one of the additional license terms; and   notifying the software vendor system of the purchase of the at least one of the additional license terms.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 storing a record of the additional license terms, wherein the record comprises an identification of the software vendor system, the additional license terms, and a charge to purchase the additional license terms.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the additional license terms comprise at least one of an increased usage of the software program, an increased duration of use of the software program, and technical support for the software program. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a processing device to:
 receive, by the processor from a software vendor system, a rule for converting a software license associated with a software program to a cloud software license associated with using the software program in a cloud computing environment;   receive, by the processor from an owner computer of the software license, a request to convert the software license to the cloud software license, the request comprising an identifier of the software vendor system and a license identifier, wherein the license identifier corresponds to the software license;   identify, by the processor in view of the received identifier of the software vendor system and the license identifier, the rule for converting the software license to the cloud software license;   convert, by the processor, the software license to the cloud software license, in response to the request by changing one or more terms of the software license, in view of the rule, wherein the cloud software license controls usage of a subscription for the software program in the cloud computing environment; and   transmit, by the processor, the cloud software license to the owner computer.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the subscription for the software program comprises entitlement to technical support for the software program and updates to the software program. 
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents an update to the software program if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents creation of a technical support ticket if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the processing device to:
 offer, to the owner computer of the software license, additional license terms for purchase;   modify the cloud software license in response to the owner computer purchasing at least one of the additional license terms; and   notify the software vendor system of the purchase of the at least one of the additional license terms.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the processing device to:
 store a record of the additional license terms, wherein the record comprises an identification of the software vendor system, the additional license terms, and a charge to purchase the additional license terms.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the additional license terms comprise at least one of an increased usage of the software program, an increased duration of use of the software program, and technical support for the software program. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   a storage device coupled to the processor, the storage device storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   receive, from a software vendor system, a rule for converting a software license associated with a software program to a cloud software license associated with using the software program in a cloud computing environment;   receive, from an owner computer of the software license, a request to convert the software license to the cloud software license, the request comprising an identifier of the software vendor system and a license identifier, wherein the license identifier corresponds to the software license;   identify, in view of the received identifier of the software vendor system and the license identifier, the rule for converting the software license to the cloud software license;   convert the software license to the cloud software license, in response to the request by changing one or more terms of the software license, in view of the rule, wherein the cloud software license controls usage of a subscription for the software program in the cloud computing environment; and   transmit the cloud software license to the owner computer.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the subscription for the software program comprises entitlement to technical support for the software program and updates to the software program. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents an update to the software program if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the subscription for the software program prevents creation of a technical support ticket if the cloud software license cannot be validated. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 offer, to the owner computer, additional license terms for purchase;   modify the cloud software license in response to the owner computer purchasing at least one of the additional license terms; and   notify the software vendor system of the purchase of the at least one of the additional license terms.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 store a record of the additional license terms in the storage device, wherein the record comprises an identification of the software vendor system, the additional license terms, and a charge to purchase the additional license terms.