System and Method for Software Activation

1 . A system for activating use of software on a computing device, the system comprising:

a license server configured so that, in response to a communication link being available between the license server and the computing device, the license server:

receives from the computing device, via the communication link, an activation request including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) a license key for the software;

accesses a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and license keys;

determines an activation instruction through application of a usage policy, wherein application of the usage policy includes a comparison between the activation request and one or more records within the database; and

sends the activation instruction to the computing device.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the usage policy increases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the usage policy decreases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the usage policy limits usage time across all activations for the license key.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the usage time increases over time.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the usage policy alters software features available during use of the software.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the usage policy enables additional software features over time.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the activation instruction includes an activation denial.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the license server is further configured to update the database to reflect the activation request and the resulting activation instruction.

10 . A method for activating use of software on a computing device, the method comprising:

establishing a communication link between a data collection server and the computing device;

receiving at the data collection server from the computing device, via the communication link, an activation request including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) a license key for the software;

accessing a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and license keys;

applying a usage policy as part of a comparison between the activation request and records within the database;

determining an activation instruction from the applied usage policy; and

sending the activation instruction to the computing device.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the usage policy increases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the usage policy decreases a number of licensed activations for the software over time.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the usage policy limits usage time across all activations for the license key.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the usage time increases over time.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the usage policy alters software features available during use of the software.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the usage policy enables additional software features over time.

17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the activation instruction includes an activation denial.

18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the license server is further configured to update the database to reflect the activation request and the resulting activation instruction.