Patent ID: 6931548
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: providing a computer including providing a first software program capable of being operably installed on the computer; providing a second software program capable of being operably installed on the computer and capable of being used interoperably with the first software program; modifying the second software program to include data defining a specific point in time after which the second software program cannot be used interoperably with the first software program; digitally signing the second software program including the data defining the specific point in time; determining whether the second software program has been altered after the digitally signing; verifying that the specific point in time has not passed; and using the second software program interoperably with the first software program if and only if the determining determines that the second software program has not been altered after the digitally signing and the verifying verifies that the specific point in time has not passed; and wherein. the second software program includes a device information file and the data defining the specific point in time is included in the device information file.