Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, makes possible an associates program for electronic content distribution by providing a mechanism whereby a referrer may be identified at the time of purchase in a download-then-pay system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an identifier or marker is added to the electronic content at the time of download. Merchant and purchase location information may also be added. At the time of purchase, a commerce module retrieves the identifier and presents it to the merchant server. The commerce module may also form part of the download or may originate from another source. The identifier may be used for various purposes. For example, the identifier may be used, directly or indirectly, to identify a referrer, to whom a referral fee is then credited. Also, the identifier may be used to look up offer information, since the price at the time of purchase may be different than the offer price at the time of download.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a semi- or fully-automated process that allows an electronic collection of software titles previously made ready for installation to be Try/Buy enabled. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process involves, for each of a potentially large number of software programs, identifying how the software program has been made ready for installation, and consulting a table or database to determine how, based on the installation particulars, to unpack and repack the setup file set, or program archives The program archive is unpacked, executable modules are identified, and one or more of thee modules are chosen for Try/Buy wrapping. Repacking may be performed by modifying the program archive or by entirely rebuilding the program archive. The setup ruleset remains unchanged. A secondary executable setup file is therefore optionally provided to perform an additional setup steps that may be required for proper Try/Buy operation.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides for secure electronic software packaging using a setup-external unlocking module. As a result, a software publisher can produce a single ESD-ready version of a software title that may later be prepared for distribution through multiple different ESD channels by adding channel-specific unlocking modules. Duplication of the injection process prior to the packing of the setup file set is eliminated and great flexibility is achieved. Preferably, the single ESD-ready version allows for trial of the software, e.g., a free 30-day trial. Software publishers are incentivized to produce trial versions of their software for marketing purposes. Once such a trial version of a software title has been produced, no further modifications are required on the part of the software publisher in order to distribute the software through various different channels.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a software protection mechanism that may be conveniently configured by a software publisher and applied to a software product. Various predefined software protection measures are presented to the software publisher, who selects which protection measures, if any, the software publisher wishes to apply to a software product. The software publisher may select all of the software protection measures, none of the software protection measures, or any logically consistent combination thereof. An option is also provided for the software publisher to provide code implementing a custom software protection mechanism. The software publisher's selections are saved in a license file that is attached to the software product. A Protector Module is also attached to the software product. The Protector Module includes code for each predefined software protection option.