Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of efficient, effective, and/or flexible management of asset entitlements. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of decoupling an entitlement creation from an asset attachment is disclosed. The method includes: upon a purchase of an entitlement, generating an entitlement entity corresponding to the purchased entitlement; generating an association entity corresponding to the entitlement entity; upon receiving an administrative request to associate the entitlement with an asset, generating an asset entity corresponding to the asset; and associating the asset entity with the entitlement entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of efficient, effective, and/or flexible provision of entitlement services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing an entitlement is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request for the entitlement; verifying the entitlement is granted; creating the granted entitlement; storing information corresponding to the requested entitlement; tracking a consumption of the entitlement based on the stored information; and accessing the entitlement so long as at least one use of the entitlement remains based on the stored information; and an expiration date corresponding to the entitlement is unreached.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of efficient, effective, and/or flexible passing of authentication between users. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of passing authentication between a plurality of users is disclosed. The method includes: creating a token; associating the token with an entitlement; passing the token to a target user without having to first establish that the target user is a registered user; the target user presenting the token for redemption; authenticating the token; and if the token is authenticated, providing the entitlement to the target user in a same session.