Patent ID: 8800058
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a computing device, the method comprising: managing use-protected applications by distinguishing between signed use-protected applications and unsigned use-protected applications, wherein use-protected applications that are signed are permitted to be used based on being signed, and wherein use of use-protected applications that are not signed requires a license from a licensing authority; responsive to a determination that the license has expired or is going to expire, identifying use-protected applications on the computing device that are not signed, and forming a plurality of identifiers of the respective use-protected applications identified as not being signed; transmitting a license renewal request from the computing device via a network to a licensing authority, the license renewal request comprising the plurality of identifiers; and according to whether or not a renewed digital license is received responsive to the license renewal request, either prohibiting or permitting use of the identified use-protected applications on the computing device, wherein whether a renewed digital license is to be provided by the licensing authority depends on the identifiers of the unsigned use-protected applications received by the licensing authority.