Method of licensing functionality after initial transaction

1. A method of performing an e-commerce transaction through a communications link between an e-commerce server and a customer, comprising the steps of:

initiating communications between said customer and said e-commerce server regarding a renewal of a supply item, said supply item containing an ink or toner imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is used to form a visible image on a print media in an imaging device;

said customer supplying to said e-commerce server predetermined information necessary to generate a digital signature for said supply item;

said customer submitting a license fee to acquire a license to complete said renewal of said supply item; and

said e-commerce server supplying said digital signature for said supply item.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined information includes an identification number assigned to said supply item prior to an initial use of said supply item.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of processing said digital signature by an imaging apparatus receiving said supply item and storing in a memory of said supply item said digital signature.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating with said digital signature a set of usage bits used in tracking usage of said supply item.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said digital signature is verified as proper for said supply item via a digital key.

6. A method for performing a commerce transaction involving a remanufacturer and a customer, comprising the steps of:

said remanufacturer securing a capability to create digital signatures for supply items;

submitting a supply item to said remanufacturer to receive a new digital signature, said supply item containing an ink or toner imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is used to form a visible image on a print media in an imaging device;

said customer submitting a fee to said remanufacturer; and

said remanufacturer supplying from a computing device a digital signature for said supply item.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said digital signature is written to a memory of said supply item.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said digital signature is written to a memory of said supply item via a digital signature assignment device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said digital signature assignment device is capable of creating a predetermined number of digital signatures.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said predetermined number is set by a manufacturer of said supply item.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein digital signature assignment device includes at least one digital key associated with said supply item.

12. A method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction, comprising the steps of:

providing an e-commerce server for communicating with a customer;

monitoring usage of a first supply item, said first supply item containing an ink or toner imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is used to form a visible image on a print media in an imaging apparatus;

determining whether said ink or toner of the first supply item is near empty;

notifying a manufacturer that said first supply item is near empty by initiating a communication with said e-commerce server; and

said manufacturer responding to said notifying by sending a new supply item to said customer.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of requesting said customer to return the first supply item to said manufacture for one of recycling and environmentally friendly disposal.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said new supply item is received with a usage license.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein said customer is prompted to acquire a usage license upon loading said new supply item in an imaging apparatus.