Electronic storefront that limits download of software wrappers based on geographic location
A computer software license management system wrapper for use in a local computer is described. The software wrapper includes a wrapper interface that provides controlled access to a computer software application file. The software application file is encapsulated by security software code to protect it from unauthorized access. The software wrapper also includes a software license key identifying a license policy specifying a use limitation within a geographic boundary. In addition, the software wrapper includes a license validation mechanism that periodically determines compliance with the license policy. The license validation mechanism permits access by another process operating on the local computer through the wrapper interface in response to a valid license confirmation signal received from the license server. A license server that utilizes and an electronic storefront that sells software license wrappers having software use limitations within a geographic boundary also are described.
1 . An electronic storefront for use by a consumer operatively coupled via a pre-existing communication link between a local computer and the electronic storefront, the electronic storefront comprising:
a plurality of computer software license management system wrappers available for download, each wrapper comprising a software application encapsulated by security software code to protect the software application file from unauthorized access and a license policy specifying a use limitation within a geographic boundary; and
a software purchasing application for requesting input of a billing information including a geographic location for billing in response to a consumer selecting one of the plurality of wrappers for download, the software purchasing application preventing download of the selected wrapper, if the billing geographic location is outside of the geographic boundary specified in the license policy of the selected wrapper.