Abstract: A vendor-operated server can be configured to receive requests from one or more customers to return corresponding sets of (one or more) software licenses for financial credit. In response to receiving a request to return a set of software licenses, the vendor-operated server verifies the return of the set of software licenses to ensure that the customer (making the request) no longer uses the software licenses to operate the vendor's software application(s). After receiving and confirming a return of the set of software licenses back to the vendor-operated server, the vendor-operated server provides notification to, for example, a vendor's corresponding order management system (e.g., financial/license management system) to indicate that the customer has returned the set of software licenses. This verification ensures that the customer does not inadvertently or intentionally continue to use the vendor's software application after obtaining credit for the returned licenses.

Abstract: In response to receiving an order (e.g., including payment for one or more software licenses), a license distribution manager allocates a specified number of software licenses for distribution to a corresponding customer's clients that utilize the licenses to operate software associated with a corresponding vendor software application. The license distribution manager can allocate one or more overdraft licenses for distribution to the customer in addition to the specified number of software licenses associated with the order. Accordingly, the license distribution manager can allocate extra software licenses (e.g., the overdraft licenses) and distribute more software licenses than are actually purchased by a respective customer. This enables the customer to use one or more provisional licenses (e.g., overdraft licenses) that support restricted use of the vendor's software application such as until the customer can replace the provisional licenses with corresponding purchased licenses.

Abstract: A licensing server source distributes a so-called license configuration file to a client for purposes of enabling operation of a software application installed on a computer. When a user initiates execution of the vendor software for the first time, code associated with the software application accesses the license configuration file for purposes of obtaining authorization (e.g., one or more activation certificates) to operate the software application. Depending on the type of license configuration file forwarded to the respective client, the license configuration file can include either a corresponding activation certificate to operate the software or include an address of a remote source (e.g., address) in which to register and obtain authorization to operate the software application.

Abstract: A licensing manager server enables distribution of multiple software licenses from multiple separately located and/or different types of licensing server sources. Based on communications with the licensing manager server, a customer can control how a group of purchased software licenses can be distributed to members in a corresponding organization (e.g., company). For example, upon receiving a query about the order from a customer, a web portal of a vendor managed server provides a notification to the customer that the multiple software licenses can be selectively apportioned for distribution by multiple different licensing server sources. In response to the notification, the licensing manager server receives customer input indicating to allocate one portion of the multiple software licenses for distribution by a first licensing server source and to allocate another portion of the multiple software licenses for distribution by a second licensing server source.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for activating, installing, and regulating use of a licensed product is disclosed. A customer licenses or buys a licensed product from a distributor. The distributor registers information describing the customer, the licensed product, and other information about the transaction at a database maintained by the licensor, manufacturer, or developer of the licensed product. The licensor communicates information describing the transaction to the customer, and the distributor ships media containing the licensed product to the customer. The customer connects to the database through a server and requests the licensed product to be activated, providing the information that describes the transaction in its request. In response, the server of the licensor generates encrypted key information that uniquely identifies the customer, the licensed product, and a license level or other information about the maximum permitted extent of use of the licensed product.