Automated system for management of licensed software

A system for auditing use of software, the system comprising:

• a client module that is attachable to a software application, which software application is loaded on a computer having access to a public network;
• and
• a server which is accessible over the public network;
• wherein
• the client module communicates with the server over the public network to report the use of the software application.

A process for enabling software comprising the steps of:

• inserting a client module to a software application that is to be loaded on a computer, which computer has access to a public network;
• maintaining a database that is accessible over the public network, which database contains license records corresponding to the software application having the client module attached thereto;
• using the client module to generate a license inquiry message corresponding to the software application and sending the license inquiry message to the database over the public network;
• receiving the license inquiry at the database and determining whether the database contains a license record corresponding to the license inquiry;
• generating a response message containing the results of the inquiry and sending the response message to the client module;
• receiving the response message at the client module and determining whether the response message indicates the presence of a license record;
• and
• enabling the software application if the response message indicates the presence of a license record;
• or
• disabling the software application if the response message indicates the lack of a license record.

Software having the ability to self-enable when loaded on a computer having access to a public network, the software comprising:

• a software application;
• a client module attached to the software application;
• wherein
• the client module generates and sends a license inquiry message over the public network to a database that contains records of valid licenses, the database receiving the license inquiry message and returning an appropriate response message to the client module, whereby the client module enables the software application if the response message indicates the presence of a valid license record.

A license server system for enabling software loaded on a computer, which computer has access to a public network, the license server system comprising:

• means for storing license records corresponding to validly licensed software;
• means for receiving a license inquiry message transmitted over the public network, which inquiry message is generated by license system code nested in the software loaded on the computer;
• means for processing the license inquiry message to determine whether the storing means contains a license record for the software loaded on the computer exists;
• and
• means for transmitting a response message back to the license system code nested in the software loaded on the computer, whereby the software is enabled if the response message indicates that the storing means contains a license record.

A self-enabling software system operating on a computer, the self-enabling software system comprising:

• a client computer having a client module contained in a software application loaded on the client computer;
• a server computer having a license server running thereon, which license server includes:
• an agent module for communicating with the client module;
• and
• a database for storing license records;
• wherein
• the client module automatically initiates communication with the agent module in the license server to determine whether the database contains a license record that corresponds to the software application loaded on the client computer.

A network software system having self-enabling software, the network system comprising:

• at least one client computer having a client application loaded thereon, which client application comprises a software application and a client module;
• an agent computer from which the at least one client computer is subtended, the agent computer having a licensing module running thereon, which licensing module includes:
• an agent component for communicating with the client module,
• cache component for storing license records, and
• a client component;
• a server computer having a license server running thereon, which license server includes:
• an agent module for communicating with the client component in the licensing module;
• and
• a database for storing license records;
• wherein
• the client component in the licensing module systematically initiates communication with the agent module in the license server over a public network to collect license records for storage in the cache component;
• and wherein
• the client module automatically initiates communication with the agent component in the licensing module to assess whether the cache component in the licensing module contains a license record corresponding to the software application.

A method for enabling software to operate, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming and transmitting a validation-request message over a public network to a licensing management system;
• receiving a return message from the licensing management system, which return message contains a validation response;
• interpreting the validation response;
• determining whether the validation response indicates that the software is enabled;
• and
• enabling the software in response to a validation response indication that the software is enabled;
• or
• disabling the software in response to a validation response indication that the software is not enabled.

A method for enabling software to operate, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming and transmitting a validation-request message over a public network to a licensing management system;
• receiving a return message from the licensing management system, which return message contains a validation response;
• interpreting the validation response;
• determining whether the validation response indicates that the software is enabled;
• and
• enabling the software in response to a validation response indication that the software is enabled;
• or
• disabling the software in response to a validation response indication that the software is not enabled.

An article of manufacture for performing a software enabling function in a computer that is connected to a network, the article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means for causing:

• a connection to be formed between the computer and a license server, which license server contains software license information;
• a message to be sent from the computer to the license server, which message contains information concerning a software application loaded on the computer;
• a determination to be made as to whether software license information corresponding to the software application loaded on the computer is contained in the license server;
• and
• a message to be sent from the license server to the computer indicating whether software license information corresponding to the software application loaded on the computer is contained in the license server.

A system for managing licensed software on a portable computer, the system comprising:

• a portable computer that includes:
• a client application comprised of a licensed software application and a client module;
• and
• a licensing module comprised of an agent component for communicating with the client module, a cache component for storing license records, and a client component for communicating with a license server;
• a license server that includes:
• an agent module for communicating with the client component of the licensing module over a public network, and
• a database containing license records;
• wherein
• the licensing module manages the client module to control the client application pursuant to license records maintained in the cache component when the portable computer is not connected to the public network, and wherein
• the license module is capable of receiving license record updates to its cache component from, and transmitting client application use records to, the license server when the portable is connected to the public network.