System and method for adjustable licensing of digital products

DC CAFC

US 8,566,960 B2
Filed: 11/17/2008
Issued: 10/22/2013
Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2007
Status: Active Grant

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1. A system for adjusting a license for a digital product over time, the license comprising at least one allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized for use with the digital product, comprising:

a communication module for receiving a request for authorization to use the digital product from a given device;

a processor module in operative communication with the communication module;

a memory module in operative communication with the processor module and comprising executable code for the processor module to;

verify that a license data associated with the digital product is valid based at least in part on a device identity generated by sampling physical parameters of the given device;

in response to the device identity already being on a record, allow the digital product to be used on the given device;

in response to the device identity not being on the record, set the allowed copy count to a first upper limit for a first time period, the allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized to use the digital product;

calculate a device count corresponding to total number of devices already authorized for use with the digital product; and

when the calculated device count is less than the first upper limit, allow the digital product to be used on the given device.

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Abstract

Techniques are provided for adjusting the number of devices allowed to use a digital product (e.g., software) under a license. In one embodiment, the technique may involve setting the allowed number of devices to a first upper/lower limit for a first time period, and, after the first time period has expired, increasing/lowering the allowed number of devices to a second upper/lower limit for a second time period. The technique may involve, readjusting the allowed number for a third time period, thereby allowing for a changing number of device installations of the digital product.

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25 Claims

1. A system for adjusting a license for a digital product over time, the license comprising at least one allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized for use with the digital product, comprising:
- a communication module for receiving a request for authorization to use the digital product from a given device;
  
  a processor module in operative communication with the communication module;
  
  a memory module in operative communication with the processor module and comprising executable code for the processor module to;
  
  verify that a license data associated with the digital product is valid based at least in part on a device identity generated by sampling physical parameters of the given device;
  
  in response to the device identity already being on a record, allow the digital product to be used on the given device;
  
  in response to the device identity not being on the record, set the allowed copy count to a first upper limit for a first time period, the allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized to use the digital product;
  
  calculate a device count corresponding to total number of devices already authorized for use with the digital product; and
  
  when the calculated device count is less than the first upper limit, allow the digital product to be used on the given device.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- - 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital product comprises software.
  - 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the license data comprises information that may be used to verify whether the license for the digital product is valid.
  - 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the record comprises an authorization database.
  - 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first time period comprises a defined number of days after an initial authorization of the digital product.
  - 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the defined number of days comprises six days since the initial authorization, and wherein the first upper limit comprises five authorized devices.
  - 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count equaling the first upper limit, send a warning regarding the allowed copy count to the given device.
  - 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count exceeding the first upper limit, deny the request for authorization.
  - 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor module is adapted to:
    - in response to the device identity not being on the record, after the first time period has expired, set the allowed copy count to a second upper limit for a second time period;
      
      recalculate the device count; and
      
      when the recalculated device count is less than the second upper limit, allow the digital product to be used on the given device.
  - 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second time period comprises a defined number of days since the initial authorization.
  - 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the defined number of days comprises thirty-one days since the initial authorization, and wherein the second upper limit comprises seven authorized devices.
  - 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count equaling the second upper limit, send a warning regarding the allowed copy count to the given device.
  - 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count exceeding the second upper limit, deny the request for authorization.
  - 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor module is adapted to:
    - in response to the device identity not being on the record, after the second time period has expired, set the allowed copy count to a third upper limit;
      
      recalculate the device count; and
      
      when the recalculated device count is less than the third upper limit, allow the digital product to be used on the given device.
  - 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the third upper limit comprises eleven authorized devices.
  - 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count equaling the third upper limit, send a warning regarding the allowed copy count to the given device.
  - 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor module is adapted to, in response to the calculated device count exceeding the third upper limit, deny the request for authorization.
  - 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the device identity comprises unique device identifying information.
  - 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the unique device identifying information comprises at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the given device.
  - 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the device identity is generated by utilizing at least one irreversible transformation of the at least one user-configurable and the at least one non-user-configurable parameters of the given device.
  - 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the device identity is generated by utilizing a cryptographic hash function on the at least one user-configurable and the at least one non-user-configurable parameters of the given device.

22. A method for adjusting a license for a digital product over time, the license comprising at least one allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized for use with the digital product, comprising:
- receiving a request for authorization to use the digital product on a given device;
  
  verifying that a license data associated with the digital product is valid based at least in part on a device identity generated by sampling physical parameters of the given device;
  
  in response to the device identity already being on a record, allowing the digital product to be used on the given device;
  
  in response to the device identity not being on the record, setting the allowed copy count to a first upper limit for a first time period, the allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized to use the digital product;
  
  calculating a device count corresponding to total number of devices already authorized for use with the digital product; and
  
  when the calculated device count is less than the first upper limit, allowing the digital product to be used on the given device.
- View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
- - 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
    - in response to the device identity not being on the record, after the first time period has expired, setting the allowed copy count to a second upper limit for a second time period;
      
      recalculating the device count; and
      
      when the recalculated device count is less than the second upper limit, allowing the digital product to be used on the given device.
  - 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
    - in response to the device identity not being on the record, after the second time period has expired, setting the allowed copy count to a third upper limit;
      
      recalculating the device count; and
      
      when the recalculated device count is less than the third upper limit, allowing the digital product to be used on the given device.

25. A computer program product, comprising:
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;
  
  code for causing a computer to receive a request for authorization to use the digital product;
  
  code for causing a computer to verify that a license data associated with the digital product is valid based at least in part on a device identity generated by sampling physical parameters of the computer;
  
  code for causing a computer to, in response to the device identity already being on a record, allow the digital product to be used on the computer;
  
  code for causing a computer to, in response to the device identity not being on the record, set the allowed copy count to a first upper limit for a first time period after an initial authorization of the digital product, the allowed copy count corresponding to a maximum number of devices authorized to use the digital product;
  
  code for causing a computer to calculate a device count corresponding to total number of devices already authorized for use with the digital product; and
  
  code for causing a computer to, when the calculated device count is less than the first upper limit, allowing the digital product to be used on the computer.

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Litigation Data

Current Assignee
Uniloc 2017 LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
Original Assignee
Uniloc Luxembourg S.à r.l. (f/k/a Uniloc Luxembourg S.A.) (Uniloc Corporation Pty. Limited)
Inventors
Richardson, Ric B.
Primary Examiner(s)
Zand, Kambiz
Assistant Examiner(s)
Shayanfar, Ali

Application Number

US12/272,570
Publication Number

US 20090138975A1
Time in Patent Office

1,800 Days
Field of Search

726/27, 726/28, 726/29, 726/30, 726/31, 726/32, 726/33, 713/165, 713/166, 713/167, 705/57, 705/58, 705/59, 380/201, 380/227, 380230-234
US Class Current

726/32
CPC Class Codes

G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed prog...

G06F 21/73 by creating or determining ...

System and method for adjustable licensing of digital products

First Claim

4 Assignments

Litigations

3 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

229 Citations

25 Claims

Specification

Use Cases

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Others

System and method for adjustable licensing of digital products

First Claim

4 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

Litigations

3 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

229 Citations

25 Claims

Specification

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Use Cases

Quick Links

Others