System, method and article of manufacture for software source authentication for return purposes
OwnerDamian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen +1inventors
InventorsDamian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen, Ali Piyarali
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution. First, software is electronically transferred to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction. After the transaction, a proof-of-purchase is then downloaded over the network. Such proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction. Thereafter, a notice of return including the proof-of-purchase is received from the user over the network. The authenticity of the proof-of-purchase is verified, after which a value of a refund for the return is determined. The refund is then processed.
Claims18
A method for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising the steps of:
- (a) electronically transferring software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;
- (b) downloading a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;
- (c) receiving a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;
- (d) verifying the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;
- (e) determining a value of a refund for a return;
- and
- (f) processing the refund.
A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising:
- (a) a code segment that electronically transfers software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;
- (b) a code segment that downloads a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;
- (c) a code segment that receives a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;
- (d) a code segment that verifies the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;
- (e) a code segment that determines a value of a refund for a return;
- and
- (f) a code segment that processes the refund.
A system for identifying electronically distributed software after distribution comprising:
- (a) logic that electronically transfers software to a user over a network in exchange for payment during a transaction;
- (b) logic that downloads a proof-of-purchase after the transaction over the network, wherein the proof-of-purchase identifies the transaction;
- (c) logic that receives a notice of return from the user over the network, wherein the notice of return includes the proof-of-purchase;
- (d) logic that verifies the authenticity of the proof-of-purchase;
- (e) logic that determines a value of a refund for a return;
- and
- (f) logic that processes the refund.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.