PORTABLE DEVICE FOR CARRYING LICENSES

1 . A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for managing storage of licenses for licensable content, the method comprising:

storing a license associated with a user in a licensing device distinct from a device for consuming licensable content associated with the license;

establishing communication with the device for consuming the content, wherein the communication includes at least one of:

notifying the device for consuming the content about the available license; and

receiving a query from the device for consuming the content for available licenses;

validating the content against the license; and

enabling consumption of the content at the device for consuming the content.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

authenticating an identity of the device for consuming the content.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

authenticating an identity of the licensing device to the device for consuming the content.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of licenses are stored at the licensing device, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a user selection of at least one license; and

validating the contents against the selected licenses.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

enabling the device for consuming the content to download the content from a content provider upon validating the content against the license.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content is preloaded to the device for consuming the content in an inactive status, and wherein the content is activated upon validating the content against the license.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content is associated with a plurality of devices connected through a network, and wherein each device is enabled to consume the content upon validating the content against the license by one device.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the licensing device is configured to communicate with the device for consuming the content through at least one from a set of: a wireless communication medium, a wired communication medium, and an optical communication medium.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content includes at least one from a set of: an audio stream, a video stream, a still image, a data file, an electronic book, a software application, a software application consumable, and an online service membership.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the license is based on usage of the content, and the method further includes:

recording the usage of the content at the licensing device; and

updating the license based on the recorded usage.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the usage includes one of: a number of consumption of the content and a duration of consumption of the content.

12 . A licensing device for managing storage of licenses for licensable content, the system comprising:

a memory for storing at least one license associated with content to be consumed by a computing device distinct from the licensing device;

a communication module for communicating with the computing device;

a processing unit for validating content at the computing device against the at least one license, and enabling the computing device to consume the content upon validating the content.

13 . The licensing device of claim 12 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

provide the computing device a list of available licenses at the licensing device;

receive a user selection of licenses; and

validate content associated with the selected licenses such that content associated with the selected licenses is enabled to be consumed by the computing device.

14 . The licensing device of claim 13 , further comprising at least one from a set of:

an authentication module for authenticating the computing device;

an input device for receiving at least one of: a user authentication and the user selection of licenses; and

a display for providing feedback to the user.

15 . The licensing device of claim 12 , wherein the licensing device is an integral part of a portable electronic device distinct from the computing device.

16 . The licensing device of claim 15 , wherein the communication module is further configured to utilize a communication medium available in the portable electronic device for communicating with the computing device.

17 . The licensing device of claim 12 , wherein the communication module is further configured to receive updated licenses from a content provider.

18 . A computer-readable storage medium with instructions encoded thereon for managing storage of licenses for licensable content, the instructions comprising:

storing a plurality of licenses associated with a user in a licensing device distinct from a computing device for consuming licensable content associated with at least one of the licenses;

establishing communication with the computing device;

authenticating an identity of the computing device;

providing the computing device a list of available licenses;

receiving at least one of: a user selection of desired licenses and a list of existing content at the computing device;

validating received information against the available licenses;

enabling consumption of the content at the computing device for consumption.

19 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions further comprise:

recording a usage of the content at the licensing device, wherein the usage includes one of: a number of consumption of the content and a duration of consumption of the content; and

updating the license based on the recorded usage for future validation.

20 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the computing device includes at least one from a set of: a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a digital music player, a digital video player, a digital picture frame, and an electronic book reader.