Method and system for providing a software license via the telephone

Abstract

A method and system for activating a software product over the telephone after installing the software product on a computer is disclosed. A user transmits an installation ID over the telephone to a customer service representative. Typically, the installation ID represents the product ID of the software product being installed and the hardware ID of the user's computer. The hardware ID is used to tie the hardware components of the user's computer to the installed software product so that the software product may not be copied to another computer (with different hardware components). The installation ID is encoded in base ten and encrypted before being transmitted to the customer service representative. The customer service representative connects with an activation authority, receives a confirmation ID and transmits the confirmation ID over the telephone to the user. The user receives the confirmation ID, inputs the confirmation ID into the computer so that the software product is licensed and activated for use. The confirmation ID is encoded in base ten and comprises the license to use the software product. The confirmation ID may comprise an expiry date for the license so that the software product may be licensed on a subscription basis. The confirmation ID may comprise a signature identifying that the license originates from a valid source and has not been tampered with.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.