Embedded license data file distribution and processing system

A data file distribution and processing system comprising:

• a source computer;
• a destination computer;
• and
• network means for conveying data files from said source computer to said destination computer,
• wherein said source computer executes server software for sending data files to the destination computer via said network means,
• wherein said destination computer executes processing software for processing each data file forwarded thereto from said server software to carry out an action,
• wherein said server software includes license stamping means for embedding a license stamp into each data file before the server software forwards the data file to said destination computer via said network means,
• wherein said processing software processes each received data file to carry out said action only when the received data file contains the embedded license stamp, and
• wherein the license stamp embedded in the data file indicates that the data file was forwarded by licensed server software.

A data file distribution and processing system comprising:

• first means for providing a data file;
• second means for receiving the data file, for checking the data file to determine whether the data file contains an encoded license, and for thereafter processing the data file only when the data file contains the encoded license;
• and
• third means for receiving the data file provided by said first means, for embedding said encoded license in the data file, and for forwarding said data file with the encoded license embedded therein to said second means, such that said encoded license indicates said data file as having been forwarded by said third means.