Application licensing using sync providers

Abstract

A method, system, and computer-readable storage media for licensing an application using sync providers are provided herein. The method includes receiving a request for a license for an application from a client sync provider at a licensing service and receiving information relating to the license from a commerce partner offering the application via a commerce partner sync provider. The method also includes returning the license for the application to a client computing device, receiving information relating to a state of the license from the client sync provider, and adjusting conditions of the license according to the state of the license.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for licensing an application, the method comprising:
 converting a subscription license for an application from a first subscription license type to a second subscription license type;   providing the converted subscription license to activate the application on a computing device, wherein the subscription license comprises device specific information associated with a user;   matching a licensing service signature of the application to a licensing service;   determining a state of the converted subscription license using a license state check, wherein the license state check is in response to a request and a timing of the license state check is configurable by conditions of the subscription license; and   adjusting conditions of the converted subscription license.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the application prohibits function after the license state check is unable to match the license service signature to the licensing service. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the application continues to function for a period of time in response to the license state check being unable to match the license service signature to a licensing service prior to the application prohibiting function. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the converted subscription license comprises instructions to activate the application for a specified period of time in response to the license state check being unable to connect to the computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the device specific information comprises a total number of computing devices on which a user is allowed to use the application. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first subscription license type for the subscription license is converted to the second subscription license type based on at least one of a total number of application uses, a time period since last renewal of the subscription license, a time period since connection to the licensing service, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subscription license comprises a user assignment information designating a specific computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A system for licensing an application, the system comprising:
 a processor to:
 convert a subscription license for an application from a first subscription license type to a second subscription license type; 
 provide the converted subscription license to activate the application on a computing device, wherein the subscription license comprises device specific information associated with a user; 
 match a licensing service signature of the application to a licensing service; 
 determine a state of the converted subscription license using a license state check, wherein the license state check is in response to a request and a timing of the license state check is configurable by conditions of the subscription license; and 
 adjust conditions of the converted subscription license. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the application prohibits function after the license state check is unable to match the license service signature to the licensing service. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the application continues to function for a period of time in response to the license state check being unable to match the license service signature to a licensing service prior to the application prohibiting function. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the converted subscription license comprises instructions to activate the application for a specified period of time in response to the license state check being unable to connect to the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the device specific information comprises a total number of computing devices on which a user is allowed to use the application. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first subscription license type for the subscription license is converted to the second subscription license type based on at least one of a total number of application uses, a time period since last renewal of the subscription license, a time period since connection to the licensing service, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the subscription license comprises a user assignment information designating a specific computing device. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable storage device comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to:
 convert a subscription license for an application from a first subscription license type to a second subscription license type;   provide the converted subscription license to activate the application on a computing device, wherein the subscription license comprises device specific information associated with a user;   match a licensing service signature of the application to a licensing service;   determine a state of the converted subscription license using a license state check, wherein the license state check is in response to a request and a timing of the license state check is configurable by conditions of the subscription license; and   adjust conditions of the converted subscription license.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the application prohibits function after the license state check is unable to match the license service signature to the licensing service. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the application continues to function for a period of time in response to the license state check being unable to match the license service signature to a licensing service prior to the application prohibiting function. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the converted subscription license comprises instructions to activate the application for a specified period of time in response to the license state check being unable to connect to the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the device specific information comprises a total number of computing devices on which a user is allowed to use the application. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the first subscription license type for the subscription license is converted to the second subscription license type based on at least one of a total number of application uses, a time period since last renewal of the subscription license, a time period since connection to the licensing service, or any combination thereof.