A system for controlling use and distribution of digital works, in which the owner
of a digital work (101) attaches usage rights (102) to that work. Usage rights are granted by the
"owner" of a digital work to "buyers" of the digital work. The usage rights define how a
digital work may be used and further distributed by the buyer. Each right has associated with it
certain optional specifications which outline the conditions and fees upon which the right may
be exercised. Digital works are stored in a repository. A repository will process each request
(103,104) to access a digital work by examining the corresponding usage rights (105). Digital
work playback devices, coupled to the repository containing the work, are used to play, display
or print the work. Access to digital works for the purposes of transporting between
repositories (e.g. copying, borrowing or transfer) is carried out using a digital work transport
protocol. Access to digital works for the purposes of replay by a digital work playback
device(e.g. printing, displaying or executing) is carried out using a digital work playback
protocol. Access is denied (106) or granted (107) depending whether the requesting repository
has the required usage rights.

System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works

The present invention is provided for utilizing various types of user indicia such as search requests, products purchased, products looked at but not purchased, products purchased and returned, reasons for returning products, customers stated profile including income level, education level, stated profession, etc. for the purpose of customizing a user interface.

Dynamic customer profile management

A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment. Steps included are providing locator and mapping capabilities utilizing the network. Technology that includes streaming audio, stereo audio and video data is also shared utilizing the network. Encryption capabilities for the technology are also included. Further, searching capabilities are provided utilizing the network in addition to logging events and passive user profiling. The event logging includes logging network operations. User profile data is automatically received and stored. User profile data includes user identity, state, preferences and interests. User profile data is also automatically exported to an active profile manager which automatically adds additional user profile data. Additional user profile data includes information related to whether the user is a service provider or a manufacturer and the location of user.

Technology sharing during demand and supply planning in a network-based supply chain environment

A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets. In the present invention, a “digital ticket” is used to entitle the ticket holder to exercise some usage right with respect to a digital work. Usage rights are used to define how a digital work may be used or distributed. Each usage right may specify a digital ticket which must be present before the right may be exercised. Digital works are stored in repositories which enforce a digital works usage rights. Each repository has a “generic ticket agent” which punches tickets. In some instances only the generic ticket agent is necessary. In other instances, punching by a “special ticket agent” residing on another repository may be needed.

System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets

A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for planning the testing of components of an existing network framework. First, a pictorial representation of an existing network framework is displayed along with a plurality of components of the existing network framework. Thereafter, the components of the existing network framework are indicia coded in order to convey a plan by which the components of the existing network framework are to be tested. The components may be indicia coded in order to convey an order of the testing or which components of the existing network framework are to be tested.

System for establishing plan to test components of web based framework by displaying pictorial representation and conveying indicia coded components of existing network framework

An improved system for administration of license terms for a software product on the network, having an arrangement, for tracking software product usage, with one of the computers acting as a license server. This arrangement permits the license server (i) to identify the current set of nodes that are using the software product, (ii) to handle license data concerning conditions under which usage of the software product is permitted at any given node, and (iii) to determine whether at any given time the conditions would be satisfied if a given node is added to this set of nodes. The software product may thus include instructions to interface with the license server to cause enforcement of the license terms. The improvement, in one embodiment, to the system includes a policy server database maintained on each node, containing data specifying conditions under which usage of the software product is permitted on the corresponding node. Each node also has a policy server "daemon" in association with the corresponding policy server database, for (i) communicating with the license server, (ii) interfacing with both the software product and the corresponding policy server database, (iii) enforcing the license terms applicable to the software product at a given local node on the basis of both license policy maintained at the local node as well as applicable data from the license server.

Distributed license administration system using a local policy server to communicate with a license server and control execution of computer programs

Disclosed is a system for administration, on a computer network, of license terms (a so-called license server) for a software product (12a, 12b... 12j) provided to said network. Said license server (17c, 18a, 18b) being realized by one of the network computers and which tasks comprise e.g. tracking of a software product (12a, 12b... 12j) usage in the system, issuing usage permits (licenses) to the different network users in accordance with predefined conditions, monitoring expirations and violations (e.g. the maximum number of users simultaneously using a software product) of issued licenses and when necessary, withdrawing issued software product licenses. In one embodiment, the system includes a policy server database (14) maintained on each node (11) of the system, where said predefined conditions are specified under which usage of a software product (12a, 12b... 12j) is permitted at the respective system nodes (11). Each node also has a policy server ''daemon'' (16) in association with said policy server database (14) for interaction with the license server (17c, 18a, 18b) in order to enforce license terms for a software product.

Willard W. Case

Papers

Distributed license administration system using a local policy server to communicate with a license server and control execution of computer programs

System and method for network license administration