Abstract: The distribution in controlled by means of central certificates acting as a link between the authorization granted to various users and the right-of-access code allocated to the software products in connection with a special separated control program. The certificates are issued to users on request and intended for calling the wanted software products. Such certificates can be supplemented with distinct control functions. Said functions are executed by the control program, which is supplemented accordingly, especially for recording data on the utilization volume. The invention also relates to the following items: key safety, use of a chip card, integrated copy protection.

Abstract: Terminals for the handling of payments are connectable to a plurality of transactors with transmission procedures that are protected against manipulation via an open data network, whereby the transactor is determined from the type of transaction. Chip cards, or smart cards, are used at the terminals for the transactions.