Abstract:
A computer readable media containing instructions for a processor to implement a plurality of steps comprising: accessing a time constraint for an entitlement, determining whether the time constraint has been satisfied, and responsive to the determination that the time constraint has been satisfied, modifying the entitlement, wherein the duration of the entitlement is less than the duration of the license for the digital content.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/804,490 filed Jun. 12, 2006 and entitled “Time Bound Enablement Framework for Digital Content Distribution”, hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention generally relates to a framework for distributing digital content to a plurality of users. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for managing the digital content distribution throughout the enterprise to ensure the use of the digital content complies with the enterprise&#39;s licenses. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    Various techniques and products have been proposed for managing the distribution of digital content, such as software products, across an enterprise. However, the existing techniques and products are not widely used because they are cumbersome and/or product specific. For example, some existing software management products only track software that is installed through the management system. In such cases, software that has been installed prior to installation of the management system and/or software installed through an outside media are not tracked by the management system. Other systems may be able to track various software deployments throughout the enterprise, but are only applicable to a single software product. The problems inherent in the prior systems have made it difficult for enterprises to track their compliance with the various licenses associated with the software products and to account for the cost of acquiring new software products. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the invention includes a computer readable media containing instructions for a processor to implement a plurality of steps comprising: accessing a time constraint for an entitlement, determining whether the time constraint has been satisfied, and responsive to the determination that the time constraint has been satisfied, modifying the entitlement, wherein the duration of the entitlement is less than the duration of the license for the digital content. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention includes a method comprising: accepting a time constraint for an entitlement, allocating the entitlement to an entity, allowing the entity to consume the entitlement, determining whether the time constraint has been satisfied, and responsive to the determination that the time constraint has been satisfied, revoking the entitlement from the entity. 
         [0008]    In a third aspect, the invention includes a system comprising: a processor configured to implement a plurality of steps comprising: accepting a time constraint for an entitlement, determining whether the time constraint has been satisfied, and responsive to the determination that the time constraint has been satisfied, modifying the entitlement. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the digital content distribution framework; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the entitlement coordination framework; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of an entity entitlement summary page; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of an entity entitlement details page; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of an entitlement product search page; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of an entity entitlement page; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of an entity entitlement page; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of an entity entitlement page; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of an entitlement allocation detail page; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment of an entitlement level search page; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of entitlement allocation detail page; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates one embodiment of an entitlement allocation return page; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of an unconsumed entitlement page; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart for an entitlement allocation routine; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart for an entitlement consumption routine; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart for an entitlement return routine; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart for an entitlement revocation routine; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates one embodiment of a framework for a computer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. 
         [0028]    One specific problem that no known prior system has addressed is improving the tracking, and management of existing licenses. Frequently, enterprises purchase computers with pre-loaded software and do not use the software or use the software for a limited time. When the software goes unused, the license associated with the software on the new computer is wasted because the license is not known or not tracked by the enterprise. Instead, when the enterprise needs to install an additional copy of the software on another computer, the enterprise will acquire another license, which results in excessive costs and duplicate licenses. Consequently, a need exists for various improvements in the techniques by which digital content, such as software, is deployed, tracked, and managed throughout an enterprise. 
         [0029]    In recognition of the need to deploy, track, and manage the software, a centralized digital content distribution framework and services in support thereof are described. According to one embodiment, a centralized entitlement coordination framework is provided that improves the ability of the enterprise to distribute and use software without exceeding the enterprise&#39;s licenses. Specifically, the entitlement coordination framework creates entitlements for each software license and limits the use of the software to only the users who have the entitlements. In one embodiment, the enterprise may allocate the entitlements to individual users or a group of users, such as a community, a department, or the entire enterprise. The allocation of the entitlement has the effect of reserving the entitlement for the users. After the users have been allocated the entitlements, they may run the software by consuming the entitlement. Only users who have consumed the entitlements may run the software product. The users may then return the entitlement when they no longer need to use the software. Alternatively, the entitlement coordinator can revoke the entitlement from the users. 
         [0030]    One advantage of the entitlement coordination framework is the ability to apply time constraints to the entitlements. Specifically, when allocating the entitlements to the users, the enterprise can set a specific start date before which the user cannot be allocated or consume the entitlement. Similarly, the enterprise can set a specific end date after which the user cannot be allocated or consume the entitlement. If the user has not returned the entitlement by the end date, the entitlement coordination framework revokes the entitlement and the user cannot access the software product any further. Consequently, the time constraints allow the enterprise to control the use of software products and maintain compliance with the licenses. Moreover, the time constraints also allow the enterprise to increase the value of the licenses by allowing multiple users to use the same license at different points in time such that the enterprise decreases the time that the software license goes unused. Finally, the entitlement coordinator allows the enterprise to correlate the cost of the software product with its use and distribute the cost over many individual users, departments, or communities based on their actual use of the software product, rather than their mere acquisition of the software product. Such a feature reduces the cost of the software to each user, community, and department. 
         [0031]    The entitlement coordination framework includes a database that aggregates the licenses, entitlements, costs, and media for all of the digital content in the enterprise and monitors the entitlements to ensure that the enterprise is compliant with its licenses. The entitlement coordination framework is agnostic as to how the media is installed on the individual computers because the various users&#39; rights to the software are governed by their entitlements, not whether the software is installed on the user&#39;s computer. In an embodiment, the database also tracks each user&#39;s entitlements with their login information, such that the user is entitled with the same software no matter which computer they log into. The database tracks the status of every entity within the enterprise and the entitlements that each entity has been allocated and has consumed or used. The database also allows the rights of all the users to purchase and manage the software to be defined such that some users have a greater level of software management capabilities than other users. The database also allows the administrator to restrict individual users in an enterprise, community, or department from being entitled in specific software products. Consequently, the database allows an administrator to manage the software entitled to users at various levels throughout the enterprise. 
         [0032]    Brief definitions of terms used throughout this application are given below. 
         [0033]    The term “allocate” generally refers to the designation of at least one entitlement as reserved for a specific entity. An allocated entitlement is sometimes referred to as an inactive entitlement because the entitlement has been reserved for the entity, but is not being used. 
         [0034]    The term “community” generally refers to a group of users that is a subset of an enterprise, and may include a department. 
         [0035]    The terms “connected” or “coupled” and related terms are used in an operational sense and are not necessarily limited to a direct or physical connection or coupling. 
         [0036]    The term “consume” generally refers to the use of an entitlement by a specific entity, usually a user. A consumed entitlement is sometimes referred to as an active entitlement because the entitlement is being used by the entity. 
         [0037]    The term “department” generally refers to a group of users that is a subset of an enterprise and/or a community. 
         [0038]    The term “deployment” generally refers to the act of installing a software product onto a computer system. 
         [0039]    The term “enterprise” generally refers to a company, corporation, partnership, or another type of group of users. 
         [0040]    The term “entitlement” generally refers to a right or claim to use digital content, such as software products. According to embodiments of the present invention, the software license grants an enterprise the right to use the software product. 
         [0041]    The term “entity” generally refers to an enterprise, a community, a department, or a user. 
         [0042]    The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. Importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0043]    If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic. 
         [0044]    The term “responsive” includes completely or partially responsive. 
         [0045]    The term “satisfy” generally refers to the meeting of the conditions of a time constraint. For example, if a time constraint is the start date, e.g. June 2 nd , that an entitlement is allocated to an entity, then the time constraint is satisfied when the current day is June 2 nd . 
         [0046]    The term “user” generally refers to a person in an enterprise, who may also be part of a community and/or a department. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  conceptually illustrates one embodiment of the various parties that may participate in a digital content distribution framework  50  and components/services that may facilitate interactions among the various parties. According to the example digital content distribution framework architecture depicted the parties, such as publisher  52 , distributor  54 , provider  56 , seller  64 , enterprise  68 , and employee  70  (e.g., enterprise user), invoke the capabilities of a set of web services, such as an identity manager  66 , a rights authority  58 , an entitlement coordinator  62 , and a desktop manager  60 . Interactions between digital content distribution framework participants and the various components of the digital content distribution framework  50  may be orchestrated by a client-side Application Programming Interface (API) and set of library services  72 . 
         [0048]    Enterprises, such as enterprise  68 , are organizations that purchase software licenses, directly or indirectly, for themselves. The enterprise contains a plurality of enterprise users, such as employee  70 . Publisher  52  may create and provide digital content for consumption by other participants in the digital content distribution framework  50 . The function of the distributor  54  is to accept software kits from publishers and make these kits available to providers, sellers and enterprise users. The function of the provider  56  is to establish a managed environment where software is hosted in a Software-as-a-Service model. The distributor  54  may make use of the rights authority  58  to determine access rights of participants registered with the digital content distribution framework  50 . The function of the desktop manager  60  is to keep enterprise user&#39;s desktops up-to-date with the latest versions of software to which they are entitled. The role of the entitlement coordinator  62  is to provide a more fine-grained level of control over which enterprise users within the enterprise are entitled to access and use the software. The function of the seller  64  is to sell software kits on behalf of publishers to enterprises, enterprise users, providers or other end users. All participants, e.g., components, web services and entities, such as an enterprise, in the digital content distribution framework  50  are registered with the identity manager  66  to facilitate authentication during subsequent sessions. More detail regarding the various components illustrated in  FIG. 1  and their functions, capabilities, and responsibilities are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/961,811 to Vaughn et al., filed Oct. 8, 2004 and entitled “Digital Content Distribution Framework,” incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in its entirety. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the entitlement coordination framework  100 . The entitlement coordination framework  100  comprises an entity  102 , an entitlement coordinator  104 , a rights authority  106 , a database of enterprise licenses  108 , a license controller  110 , a time bound notification mechanism  112 , an enterprise entitlement database  118 , a database of time bound entitlement expirations  114 , a license pool availability database  116 , an asset manager  120 , and a software database  122 . The entitlement coordinator  104  is the central component that coordinates communication between the other components illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For example, the entitlement coordinator communicates with rights authority  106  to confirm that the enterprise owns a license to entitle to the entities  102  within the enterprise. The rights authority  106  may access a plurality of licenses  108  to verify the existence of the licenses and notify the entitlement coordinator of additions, deletions, or mortifications to the licenses. The entitlement coordinator  104  also communicates with the entities  102  in the enterprise to allocate and revoke the entitlements from the entities  102 . The entitlement coordinator  104  may also communicate with an asset manager  120  to download, install, or uninstall the software on the various computers within the enterprise. The asset manager  120  keeps a database  122  of software, including a list of the different software products installed on the various computers throughout the enterprise. 
         [0050]    The entitlement controller  104  also communicates with an entitle license controller  110  that controls the entitlements used throughout the enterprise. The entitle license controller  110  keeps an updated database  118  of all of the enterprise&#39;s entitlements. The entitle license controller  110  also tracks the available licenses using the license pool availability  116 . The time bound notification mechanism  112  tracks the time constraints associated with each of the entitlements and uses the time bound entitlement expiration mechanism  114  to notify the entitlement coordinator  104  and the entitle license controller  110  when the time constraints are satisfied. 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, the entitlement coordination framework includes a plurality of pages that allow an administrator, manager, supervisor, or other authorized user (hereinafter, “administrator”) within an enterprise to manage the entitlements within an enterprise. Specifically, the pages illustrated in  FIGS. 3-11  allow the administrator and/or the various users within the enterprise to allocate, consume, remove, and revoke the entitlements from the various entities within the enterprise. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pages illustrated herein can be configured with additional features that are common to graphical user interfaces, such as minimize, maximize, restore, close, apply, and/or cancel buttons commonly found on graphical user interfaces. 
         [0052]    In an embodiment, the user is able to access a user entitlement summary, such as user entitlement summary  150  shown in  FIG. 3 . The user entitlement summary  150  is typically viewed by the user via a pull down menu and summarizes the products associated with the entitlements that have been allocated to the user. The user entitlement summary  150  displays the entitlements for the user specified in the user line  166 , specifically Jane Doe. The user entitlement summary  150  includes entitlements for every level that Jane is associated with, such as his enterprise, her community, his department, and himself as a user. Thus, the user entitlement summary  150  displays all of the entitlements that have been allocated to a particular user. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while the user entitlement summary  150  shown in  FIG. 3  is described in conjunction with a user, the user entitlement summary  150  may display the entitlements for any level of entity, including a department, a community, or an enterprise. 
         [0053]    The user entitlement summary  150  comprises: a products column  152 , a version column  154 , a quantity allocated column  156 , a quantity consumed column  158 , an allocation level column  160 , a details link  162 , and a download link  164 . The products column  152  lists all of the different products that the user is entitled to use. The version column  154  lists the product version for each product. If a user is entitled to multiple versions of the same product, then the different versions are represented by different rows in the user entitlement summary  150 . The quantity allocated column  156  lists the quantity of entitlements that are allocated to the user for each product. The quantity consumed column  158  lists the quantity of entitlements that the user has consumed for each product. The allocation level column  160  lists the level to which each product was allocated to the user. For example, the Adobe Acrobat® product shown in  FIG. 3  was allocated to Jane on a user level. In other words, the administrator allocated the Acrobat® entitlement specifically to Jane. In contrast, the WinZip® 8 product was allocated to Jane on an enterprise level. In other words, the administrator allocated the WinZip® entitlement to everyone within the enterprise. Other entitlement levels include the department level and the community level. The details link  162  allows the user to open the user entitlement detail page, which is discussed in greater detail below. The download link  164  allows the user to download or install the product to the computer and may only appear if the product is not already installed on the computer 
         [0054]    In an embodiment, the user is able to access a user entitlement detail page, such as the user entitlement detail  200  shown in  FIG. 4 . The user entitlement detail  200  may be accessed by clicking on the details link  162  in  FIG. 3  or via a pull down menu. The user entitlement detail  200  shows the specific information regarding one specific product that has been allocated to the user, here the Adobe Acrobat® product allocated to Jane. The user entitlement detail  200  also allows the user to return an entitlement to the enterprise if the entitlement has not been consumed. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while the user entitlement detail  200  shown in  FIG. 4  is described in conjunction with a user, the user entitlement detail  200  may display the entitlements for any level of entity, including a department, a community, or an enterprise. 
         [0055]    The user entitlement detail  200  comprises: a product line  202 , an allocation level column  204 , a product version column  206 , a distribution limit column  208 , a quantity allocated column  210 , a quantity consumed column  212 , a quantity consumed by the specific user column  214 , a version allocation column  216 , and a return button  218 . The product line specifies the product associated with the various details in the user entitlement detail  200 . The allocation level column  204  lists the level at which the product was allocated to the user. For example, the Adobe Acrobat® product was allocated to Jane on a user level. The product version column  206  lists the version for the product. The distribution limit column  208  indicates the number of times the product can be distributed to other machines. A distribution limit of 0 means that unlimited file access (e.g. download and installation) can occur against the entitlement. When the distribution limit is greater than 0, file access will be tracked for each user that has consumed the entitlement. Once the distribution limit is reached, the user consumes an additional entitlement in order to once again access the software. The quantity allocated column  210  lists the quantity of allocations that the user has received for the product. A user may receive a plurality of allocated entitlements so that the user can install the software on a plurality of computers for which they are a user, such as Jane&#39;s desktop and notebook computers. The quantity consumed column  212  lists the quantity of entitlements that the user has consumed for the product. The quantity consumed by the specific user column  214  lists the quantity of entitlements that the specific user (e.g. the person viewing the user entitlement detail) has consumed for the product listed in the product line  202 . When the user is viewing his own entitlements, there will always be a one-to-one correlation between the quantity consumed column  212  and the quantity consumed by user column  214 . However, there will not necessarily be a one-to-one correlation if the entitlement detail is for a department, community, or enterprise. The version allocation column  216  shows the version limits of the user&#39;s allocation and may be one of the fields listed in Table 1: 
         [0000]                        TABLE 1               Version           Allocation   Description                   One   The user has been entitled to a specific version       Latest   The user will always see the latest version available,           regardless of what version to which the user has been entitled.       Earlier   The user will see the version they were entitled to and any           previous versions that are available.       Later   The user will see the version they were entitled to and any           subsequent versions that are available.                    
The return license button  218  allows the user to return at least one of the allocated entitlements by initiating opening the return allocated entitlement page discussed below. The user can return to the user entitlement summary by clicking the “return to product list” link  220 .
 
         [0056]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access an entitlement product search page, such as the entitlement product search  250  shown in  FIG. 5 . The entitlement product search  250  allows the administrator to view the various levels of entitlement for a specific product using the product drop down menu  256 , in this case Adobe Acrobat® Reader v7.0. The entitlement product search  250  also displays the entitlements across all versions of the product, such as versions 6.0 and 7.0 of the Adobe Acrobat® Reader. The user may switch back and forth between the entitlement product search page  250 , shown in  FIG. 5 , and the entitlement level search page  500 , shown in  FIG. 10 , using the product radio button  252  and the entitlement level radio button  254 . 
         [0057]    The entitlement product search page  250  comprises: an entitlement level column  258 , a quantity allocated column  260 , and quantity consumed column  262 . The entitlement level column  258  shows the different levels at which the entitlements are allocated and consumed. In addition, each level displayed in the entitlement level column  258  is a clickable link that opens the entity entitlement pages, such as those shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . The quantity allocated column  260  shows the quantity of allocated entitlements for each entity level. The quantity consumed column  262  shows the quantity of consumed entitlements for each entity level. 
         [0058]    The entitlement product search page  250  also comprises: the product version column  264 , the licenses purchased column  266 , the quantity allocated column  268 , the quantity consumed column  270 , and the entitlements available column  272 . The product version column  264  shows the various versions for the selected product. The licenses purchased column  266  shows the quantity of licenses purchased for each version. The quantity allocated column  268  shows the quantity of allocated entitlements for each version. The quantity consumed column  270  shows the quantity of consumed entitlements for each version. The entitlements available column  272  shows the quantity of entitlements that are unallocated and unconsumed for each version, and thus represent the available entitlements within the enterprise. 
         [0059]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access an entity entitlement page, such as the entity entitlement page  300  shown in  FIG. 6 . The administrator may access the entity entitlement page  300  by clicking on one of the entity links in the entitlement product search  250  shown in  FIG. 5 , specifically the department link. The entitlement product search  300  allows the administrator to view the entitlements for a specific product and a specific entity level. Specifically, the entitlement level line  302  shows that the selected entity level is a department. Similarly, the product line  304  shows that the selected product is Adobe Acrobat® Reader v7.0. By clicking the show entitlements across all version link  308 , the user may open a page that shows the entitlements across the various versions, such as the page shown in  FIG. 7 . By clicking the return to entitlement search link  306 , the user returns to the entitlement product search page  250  shown in  FIG. 5 . By clicking on the add entitlement button  310 , the user is directed to the entitlement allocation detail page, such as the one shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0060]    The entity entitlement page  300  comprises: the entitlement level name column  312 , the quantity allocated column  314 , the quantity consumed column  316 , the edit link  318 , and the remove link  320 . The entitlement level column  312  lists the various departments within the enterprise that have been allocated or have consumed entitlements for the product. The quantity allocated column  314  shows the quantity of entitlements allocated to each department. The quantity consumed column  316  shows the quantity of entitlements consumed by each department. The edit link  318  allows the administrator to edit any of the details for the entitlement allocations or consumptions and may open an entitlement allocation detail, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The remove link  320  allows the administrator to return an allocated entitlement to the enterprise and may open an allocated entitlement return page, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The quantity of results per page can be controlled using the results per page drop down box  322  and the number of pages is shown in the page column  324 . 
         [0061]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to view another entity entitlement page, such as the entity entitlement page  350  shown in  FIG. 7 . The entity entitlement page  350  displays the entitlements for all versions of the selected entity level and product, and is similar to the lower table shown in  FIG. 5 . Clicking on the show entitlements across all versions link  308  in  FIG. 6  may open entity entitlement page  350  shown in  FIG. 7 . The entity entitlement page  350  may appear as a pop-up window or may appear as an extension of the entity entitlement page  300  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0062]    Similar to the lower table in  FIG. 5 , the entity entitlement page  350  in  FIG. 7  comprises: the product version column  352 , the licenses purchased column  354 , the quantity allocated column  356 , the quantity consumed column  358 , and the entitlements available column  360 . The product version column  352  shows the various versions for the selected product. The licenses purchased column  354  shows the quantity of licenses purchased for each version. The quantity allocated column  356  shows the quantity of allocated entitlements for each version. The quantity consumed column  358  shows the quantity of consumed entitlements for each version. The entitlements available column  360  shows the quantity of entitlements that are unallocated and unconsumed for each version, and thus represent the available entitlements within the entity, in this case the IT Administration department. This allows the administrator to manage the number of available entitlements and return unneeded entitlements to the enterprise, perhaps for a budgetary credit or reimbursement. The user may hide the entity entitlements across all versions page  350  by clicking on the hide link  362 . 
         [0063]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access another entity entitlement page, such as the entity entitlement page  400  shown in  FIG. 8 . The entity entitlement page  400  may be accessed by clicking on one of the entity links in the entitlement product search page  250 , in this case the user link. The entitlement product search  400  allows the administrator to view the entitlements for a specific product and a specific entity level. Specifically, the entitlement level line  402  shows that the selected entity level is a user. Similarly, the product line  404  shows that the selected product is Adobe Acrobat® Reader v7.0. By clicking the return to entitlement search link  406 , the user returns to the entitlement product search page  250  shown in  FIG. 5 . By clicking the show entitlements across all version link  408 , the user may open a page that shows the entitlements across the various versions, such as the page shown in  FIG. 7 . By clicking on the add entitlement button  410 , the user is directed to the entitlement allocation detail page, such as the one shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0064]    The entity entitlement page  400  comprises: the entitlement level name column  412 , the quantity allocated column  414 , the quantity consumed column  416 , the edit link  418 , and the remove link  420 . The entitlement level column  412  lists the various users within the enterprise that have been allocated or have consumed entitlements for the product. The quantity allocated column  414  shows the quantity of entitlements allocated to each user. The quantity consumed column  416  shows the quantity of entitlements consumed by each user. The edit link  418  allows the administrator to edit any of the details for the entitlement allocations or consumptions and may open an entitlement allocation detail, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The remove link  420  allows the administrator to return an allocated entitlement to the enterprise and may open an allocated entitlement return page, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The quantity of results per page can be controlled using the results per page drop down box  422  and the number of pages is shown in the page column  424 . 
         [0065]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access the entitlement allocation detail page, such as the entitlement allocation detail  450  shown in  FIG. 9 . The entitlement allocation detail  450  may be accessed by clicking on the add entitlement button  410  in  FIG. 8 . The entitlement allocation detail page allows the administrator to specify the details for the allocated entitlement. Specifically, the user can specify the start date and/or stop date for the allocated entitlement for any entity and/or for any product. This allows the administrator to more tightly control the entitlements, such that he can gain an additional benefit from the enterprise&#39;s licenses. More particularly, the entitlement allocation detail page  450  shows the allocation details for the entity level shown in the entity level line  452 , here the department level, the product shown in the product line  454 , here the Adobe Acrobat® Reader 7.0, and the specific entity shown in the entity line  458 , namely the strategic sourcing department. The administrator may search for various users using the search button  458 , which will initiate a pop-up window that allows the administrator to search for the appropriate entity using, for example, an enterprise directory. The heading for the entity line  458 , e.g. “department”, will change according to the entity level selected in the entity level line  452 . By clicking the show entitlements across all version link  408 ; the user may open a page that shows the entitlements across the various versions, such as the page shown in  FIG. 7 . The administrator can return to the entitlement product search page shown in  FIG. 5  by clicking the return to entitlement search link  462 . 
         [0066]    The entitlement allocation detail page  450  allows the administrator to specify various constraints for the entitlement that is allocated to the entity. For example, the administrator can specify the start date for the allocation by selecting the start date check box  464  and selecting a date on the start date calendar  466 . In embodiments, the start date is the date the entitlement allocation will begin and is no earlier than the current date. The administrator can scroll through the various months and years using the two directional arrows on the start date calendar  466 . In addition, the administrator can specify the stop date for the allocation by selecting the stop date check box  468  and selecting a date on the stop date calendar  470 . In embodiments, the stop date is the date the entitlement allocation will end and is no earlier than the current date. The administrator can scroll through the various months and years using the two directional arrows on the stop date calendar  470 . 
         [0067]    Although not shown in  FIG. 9 , there are a number of alternative methods by which the administrator may place time constraints upon the entitlement. For example, the administrator may specify a duration, e.g. 90 days, along with either the start date or the stop date such that the duration runs before or after the start date or stop date, as appropriate. This feature is useful when users will only need an entitlement for a limited period of time, or have a deadline and will not need the entitlement after the deadline. Further in the alternative, the user may specify that the stop date is a specified duration, e.g. 30 days, of non-use by the user. Such an embodiment is particularly useful when the administrator wants to free up entitlements for software that is not being used. Finally, the administrator may define the entitlement using a start date and a duration such that the start date indicates when the entitlement is allocated to the user, but the entitlement lasts for a specified duration after the entitlement is consumed, not after it is allocated. Such an embodiment is useful when the administrator wants the entitlement to be limited to a specified duration, e.g. 90 days, after it is consumed, not after it is allocated. Such an embodiment is useful because the entity actually uses the software for a specified period of time, rather than just having the right to use the software for the specified period of time. 
         [0068]    The administrator may specify the allocation in the allocation line  472 . The allocation is the number of licenses being allocated at the entitlement level. The administrator may also specify the allocation cost in the allocation cost line  474  and the allocation cost currency in the allocation cost drop down box  476 . The allocation cost is the cost of consuming each entitlement and is used by an accounting interface to apply the cost of the entitlement to the specific entity. Such cost is typically applied to the entities annual budget by the enterprise&#39;s internal accounting department. The administrator may also specify the distribution limit in the distribution limit line  478 . The distribution limit is the number of times that the administrator can access the product, with a zero indicating that the product may be accessed an unlimited number of times. 
         [0069]    The administrator may also specify the version allocation in the version allocation line  480 . The version allocation specifies the availability of prior and/or subsequent versions to the administrator and may be one, latest earlier, or later as defined above. The administrator may also specify the threshold using the threshold scale line  482  and the threshold value line  484 . The threshold value is the amount of entitlements that remain when a message is sent to the administrator indicating that the entitlement threshold has been reached, which is generally measured as either a number or a percent of the total entitlements. 
         [0070]    Finally, the administrator can specify the media distribution type in the media distribution type box  486 . The media distribution type determines whether users can see all media types (e.g. CD, streaming, download, and so forth) available for a product or if they are limited to viewing specific media and/or kits. If the media distribution type is other than “All media/all types”, then a media field may appear to allow the administrator to specify the specific media and/or kits associated with the entitlement. The administrator adds the defined constraints to the allocation by clicking the submit button  488 . 
         [0071]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access an entitlement level summary page, such as the entitlement level summary page  500  shown in  FIG. 10 . The entitlement level summary is a table that summarizes the products that have been allocated to a specific entity level. The entitlement level summary  500  displays the entitlements for the entity level specified in the entity level line  506  and the entity line  508 , specifically the Administrator. The administrator may search for various users using the search button  510 , which will initiate a pop-up window that allows the administrator to search for the appropriate entity using, for example, an employee directory. 
         [0072]    The entitlement level summary  500  comprises a products column  512 , a quantity allocated column  514 , a quantity consumed column  516 , a details link  518 , and a remove link  520 . The products column  512  lists all of the different products that have been allocated to the entity selected in the entity line  508 . The quantity allocated column  514  lists the quantity of allocated entitlements for each of the products. The quantity consumed column  516  lists the quantity of entitlements that the entity has consumed for each of the products. The edit link  518  allows the user to edit any of the details for the entitlement allocations or consumptions and may open a pre-populated page such as the page illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The remove link  520  allows the entity to return the entitlement and make it available for use by other parties and may open the allocated entitlement return page shown in  FIG. 12 . The quantity of results per page can be controlled using the results per page drop down box  524 , and the number of pages is shown in the page column  526 . By clicking on the add entitlement button  522 , the user is directed to the entitlement allocation detail page, such as the one shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0073]    In an embodiment, the administrator is able to access the entitlement allocation detail page, such as the entitlement allocation detail  550  shown in  FIG. 11 . The entitlement allocation detail  550  may be accessed by clicking on the add entitlement button  522  in  FIG. 10 . The entitlement allocation detail page  550  allows the administrator to specify the details for the allocated entitlement. Specifically, the administrator can specify the start date and/or stop date for the allocated entitlement for any entity and/or for any product. More particularly, the entitlement allocation detail page  550  shows the allocation details for the entity level shown in the entity level line  552 , here the user level, the product shown in the product line  554 , here the Adobe Acrobat® Reader 7.0, and the specific entity shown in the entity line  556 , namely the Administrator. The heading for the entity line  556 , e.g. “user”, will change according to the entity level selected in the entity level line  556 . By clicking the show entitlements across all version link  558 , the user may open a page that shows the entitlements across the various versions, such as the page shown in  FIG. 7 . The administrator can return to the entitlement product search page shown in  FIG. 10  by clicking the return to entitlement search link  560 . 
         [0074]    The entitlement allocation detail page  550  allows the user to specify various constraints for the entitlement that is allocated to the entity. For example, the user can specify the start date for the allocation by selecting the start date check box  562  and selecting a date on the start date calendar  564 . The embodiments, the start date is the date the entitlement allocation will begin and is no earlier than the current date. The user can scroll through the various months and years using the two directional arrows on the start date calendar  564 . In addition, the user can specify the stop date for the allocation by selecting the stop date check box  566  and selecting a date on the stop date calendar  568 . In embodiments, the stop date is the date the entitlement allocation will end and is no earlier than the current date. The user can scroll through the various months and years using the two directional arrows on the stop date calendar  568 . 
         [0075]    Although not shown in  FIG. 11 , there are a number of alternative methods by which the administrator may place time constraints upon the entitlement. For example, the administrator may specify a duration, e.g. 90 days, along with either the start date or the stop date such that the duration runs before or after the start date or stop date, as appropriate. Further in the alternative, the user may specify that the stop date is a specified duration, e.g. 30 days, of non-use by the user. Such an embodiment is particularly useful when the administrator wants to free up entitlements for software that is not being used. Finally, the administrator may define the entitlement using a start date and a duration such that the start date indicates when the entitlement is allocated to the user, but the entitlement lasts for a specified duration after the entitlement is consumed, not after it is allocated. Such an embodiment is useful when the administrator wants the entitlement to be limited to a specified duration, e.g. 90 days, after it is consumed, not after it is allocated. 
         [0076]    The user may specify the allocation in the allocation line  570 . The allocation is the number of licenses being allocated at the entitlement level. The user may also specify the allocation cost in the allocation cost line  572  and the allocation cost currency in the allocation cost drop down box  574 . The allocation cost is the cost of consuming each entitlement. Such cost is typically applied to the entities annual budget by the enterprises internal accounting department. The user may also specify the distribution limit in the distribution limit line  576 . The distribution limit is the number of times that the user can access the product, with a zero indicating that the product may be accessed numerous times. 
         [0077]    The user may also specify the version allocation in the version allocation line  578 . The version allocation specifies the availability of prior and/or subsequent versions to the user and may be one, latest, earlier, or later as defined above. The user may also specify the threshold using the threshold scale line  580  and the threshold value line  582 . The threshold value is the amount of entitlements that remain when a message is sent to the user indicating that the entitlement threshold has been reached, which is generally measured as either a number or a percent of the total entitlements. Finally, the user can specify the media distribution type in the media distribution the box  584 . The media distribution type determines whether users can see all media and/or kits available for a product or if they are limited to viewing specific media and/or kits. If the media distribution type is other than “All media/all types”, then a media field may appear to allow the user to specify the specific media and/or kits associated with the entitlement. The user adds the defined constraints to the allocation by clicking the submit button  586 . 
         [0078]    In one embodiment, the administrator can access an allocated entitlement return page, such as the allocated entitlement return page  600  shown in  FIG. 12 . The allocated entitlement return page  600  allows the administrator to return some or all of the allocated entitlements to the enterprise for use by other users, departments, or communities. The allocated entitlement return page  600  may be accessed by clicking one of the return links shown in  FIG. 6 ,  8 , or  10 . More specifically, by clicking the remove link  320  in  FIG. 6 , the administrator is directed to the allocated entitlement return page  600 . The department line  602  and the product line  604  are pre-populated, but may be changed to other entities and/or products, as evidenced by the change in the product line  604  from Adobe Acrobat® v7.0 to Adobe Acrobat® v6.0. The start date  606 , the end date  608 , the quantity allocated  612 , the quantity consumed  614 , the distribution limit  610 , the allocation cost,  618 , the allocation currency  620 , the allocation threshold  622 , the version allocation  624 , the version allocation units  626 , and the media distribution type  628  are all pre-populated as well because these values were associated with the entitlement when the entitlement was allocated to the entity. Thus, the administrator merely has to modify the new allocation  616  to the quantity of entitlements that the entity desires to keep, and click the submit button  630  to initiate the entitlement return routine shown in  FIG. 16 . Generally, the new allocation  616  is a number no greater than the allocation  612  because a greater number would indicate that the entity is attempting to obtain entitlements, not return them. Similarly, the new allocation  616  is a number no less than the consumption  614  because a lower number would indicate that the entity is returning consumed licenses. In one embodiment, if the entity desires to return consumed entitlements, the administrator is presented with the unconsumed entitlement page shown in  FIG. 13  so that the entitlements can be unconsumed prior to being returned to the enterprise. 
         [0079]    In one embodiment, the administrator, manager, supervisor, or user is able to access an unconsume entitlement page, such as the unconsume entitlement page  650  shown in  FIG. 13 . The unconsume entitlement page  650  allows the administrator, manager, supervisor, or user to return the consumed entitlement to the entity level from which the entitlement was consumed, e.g. the enterprise, community, department, or user level. The unconsume entitlement page  650  may be accessed by clicking the return button  218  shown in  FIG. 4 . The entitlement level buttons  652 , the department line  654 , and user line  658 , and the product line  660  are pre-populated, but may be changed to other entities and/or products as desired. The search button  656  may assist the administrator, manager, supervisor, or user in modifying any of these fields. Furthermore, when the administrator, manager, supervisor, or user selects the desired entity and product, the total allocated  662 , the total consumed  664 , the start date  666 , the end date  668 , the distribution limit  670 , the quantity allocated  672 , and the quantity consumed  674  are all pre-populated as well because these values were associated with the entitlement when the entitlement was allocated to the entity. Thus, the administrator, manager, supervisor, or user merely has to modify the quantity  676  that they desire to unconsume, and click the unconsume button  678  to initiate the entitlement return routine shown in  FIG. 16 . Generally, the quantity  676  is a number no greater than the consumption  674  because a greater number would indicate that the entity is attempting to unconsume entitlements that have not been consumed. The quantity  676  is generally not a negative number either because a negative number would indicate that the user is attempting to consume license, not unconsume them. 
         [0080]    In one embodiment, one or more of the components in the framework  100  allocate the entitlements to the various entities using an entitlement allocation routine, such as the entitlement allocation routine  700  shown in  FIG. 14 . The entitlement allocation routine  700  starts  702  when initiated by the user, such as when the user clicks on the submit button  488  in  FIG. 9  or the submit button  586  in  FIG. 11 . The entitlement allocation routine  700  then checks to make sure that all of the required allocation limits have been defined  704 . Generally, the required allocation limits are defined as part of the configuration process and are indicated on the entitlement allocation detail or other pages by the presence of an asterisk (*) or other such indicator of a required field. If all of the required fields are not present, the entitlement allocation routine  700  may request the additional information from the user. 
         [0081]    Assuming the required information is present, the entitlement allocation routine  700  allocates the entitlement to the entity  706 . More specifically, the entitlement allocation routine  700  performs one or more of the following steps: verifying that the enterprise owns the defined quantity of licenses to entitle, removes the defined quantity of the entitlements from the enterprise&#39;s group of entitlements, and indicating that the defined quantity entitlements are allocated to the entity. Only available, unconsumed entitlements can be allocated. If the entity is more than one user, such as a department with 5 people, the entitlement allocation routine  700  may allocate one entitlement to each person or may make the entitlements available on a first come, first served basis. The entitlement allocation routine  700  may also send out an email to at least one entity and/or the administrator notifying them of the entitlement allocation. The entitlement allocation routine  700  then updates one or more of the databases shown in  FIG. 2  so that all of the affected pages shown herein reflect that the entitlement has been allocated to the entity  708 . The entitlement allocation routine  700  then ends  710 . 
         [0082]    In an embodiment, one or more of the components in the framework  100  allow the various entities to consume their allocated entitlements according to an entitlement consumption routine, such as the entitlement consumption routine  720  shown in  FIG. 15 . Once all of the allocated entitlements for an entity level have been consumed, no more entitlements can be consumed until additional licenses are purchased. The entitlement consumption routine  720  starts when the user indicates a desire to consume the license  722 , for example by downloading and running the software product onto his computer. The entitlement consumption routine  720  then determines whether the user is allocated any entitlements  724 . If the consumption routine  720  determines that the user is not allocated any entitlements, then the consumption routine  720  notifies the user of the lack of entitlements  726 , for example by sending the user an email, an instant message, or via a pop-up page. In notifying the user that he has not been allocated any entitlements, the entitlement consumption routine  720  may allow the entity the option of obtaining an allocation for a product using various methods, such as by acquiring an entitlement allocation from the enterprise&#39;s group of entitlements or by purchasing a license from a publisher, distributor, and/or seller. If the entitlement consumption routine  720  does allow the user to obtain an entitlement, the entitlement consumption routine  720  returns to block  724 . Otherwise, the entitlement consumption routine  720  then ends  734 . 
         [0083]    If at block  724  the consumption routine  720  determines that the user is not allocated any entitlements, then the entitlement consumption routine  720  determines whether the entity has any unconsumed entitlements  728 . It is possible that the entity may have been allocated an entitlement, e.g. as part of a department entitlement, but all of the allocated entitlements have been consumed such that there are not any unconsumed entitlements. If the entitlement consumption routine  720  determines that all of the entitlements have been consumed, then the consumption routine  720  notifies the user of the lack of entitlements  726 , for example by sending the user an email, an instant message, or via a pop-up page. In notifying the user that he has not been allocated any entitlements, the entitlement consumption routine  720  may allow the entity the option of obtaining an allocation for a product using various methods, such as by acquiring an entitlement allocation from the enterprise&#39;s group of entitlements or by purchasing a license from a publisher, distributor, and/or seller. Alternatively, the entitlement consumption routine  720  may access the end dates for the consumed entitlements and notify the user when there will be available entitlements. If the entitlement consumption routine  720  does allow the user to obtain an entitlement, the entitlement consumption routine  720  returns to block  724 . Otherwise, the entitlement consumption routine  720  then ends  734 . 
         [0084]    If at block  728  the entitlement consumption routine  720  determines that all of the entitlements have not been consumed, then the entitlement consumption routine  720  allows the user to consume the entitlement  730 . More specifically, the entitlement consumption routine  720  performs one or more of the following steps: verifying that the enterprise owns an unallocated and/or unconsumed entitlement, removing the entitlement from the enterprise&#39;s group of entitlements, and indicating that the entitlement has been consumed by the entity. The entitlement consumption routine  720  may also send out an email to at least one entity and/or the administrator notifying them of the entitlement consumption. The entitlement consumption routine  720  may also send out an email to the administrator to inform them that the quantity of allocated entitlements approaches a threshold level. The entitlement consumption routine  720  then updates one or more of the databases shown in  FIG. 2  so that all of the affected pages shown herein reflect that the entitlement has been consumed to the entity  732 . The entitlement consumption routine  720  then ends  710 . 
         [0085]    In an embodiment, one or more of the components in the framework  100  return the entitlements to the various entities using an entitlement return routine, such as the entitlement return routine  750  shown in  FIG. 16 . The entitlement return routine  750  is applicable to both unconsumed an unallocated entitlements. The entitlement return routine  750  starts  702  when initiated by the user, such as when the user clicks on the update button  630  in  FIG. 12  or the unconsume button  678  in  FIG. 13 . Once initiated, the entitlement return routine  750  returns the entitlement to the entitlement pool  754 . More specifically, the entitlement return routine  750  performs one or more of the following steps: indicating that the defined quantity of entitlements are no longer being consumed by the entity, and indicating that the defined quantity of entitlements are no longer being allocated to the entity. If the entity is more than one user, such as a department with 5 people, the entitlement return routine  750  may return one entitlement from each person or may return the unconsumed entitlements first, then return the consumed entitlements on a first consumed, first returned or a first consumed, last returned basis. The entitlement return routine  750  may also send out an email to at least one entity and/or the administrator notifying them of the entitlement return. If desired, the entitlement return routine  750  may keep a history of returned entitlements. The entitlement return routine  750  then updates one or more of the databases shown in  FIG. 2  so that all of the pages shown herein reflect that the entitlement has been returned to the entity  756 . The entitlement return routine  750  then ends  758 . 
         [0086]    In an embodiment, one or more of the components in the framework  100  may revoke the entitlement from an entity using an entitlement revocation routine, such as the entitlement revocation routine  770  shown in  FIG. 17 . The entitlement revocation routine  770  starts when the time constraint has been satisfied, that is when current date meets or exceeds the entitlement duration or stop date, such as the end date specified in the end date calendar  470  in  FIG. 9  or the end date  578  in  FIG. 11 . The entitlement revocation routine  770  then determines if the entity is authorized to extend the entitlement  774 . There are some entities within the enterprise which should have the right to extend their entitlements. Such entities may include mission-critical departments, the information technology (IT) department, high priority users, and so forth. As part of the configuration process for the time bound enablement these entities can be identified and afforded the right to extend their entitlement, if desired. For example, the entitlement coordinator can interact with the identity manager or another party to specify which entities have extendable entitlements. 
         [0087]    If the entitlement revocation routine  770  determines that the entity is authorized to extend the entitlement, then the entitlement revocation routine  770  accepts the limits of the extension  780 . The extension may be defined when the entity modifies its own entitlements such that the end date becomes some date in the future. The entity may also extend the terms of entitlement by entering a new entitlement expiration date on a pop-up window initiated by the entitlement revocation routine  770 . The entitlement revocation routine  770  then notifies the administrator that the entity has extended the entitlement end date  780 , for example, by email. The entitlement revocation routine  770  then updates one or more of the databases shown in  FIG. 2  so that all of the affected pages shown herein reflect that the entitlement has been allocated to the entity  784 . The entitlement revocation routine  770  then ends  786 . 
         [0088]    If the entitlement revocation routine  770  determines that the entity is not authorized to extend the entitlement, then the entitlement revocation routine  770  revokes the entitlement from the entity  776 . More specifically, the entitlement revocation routine  770  performs one or more of the following steps: indicating that the defined quantity entitlements are no longer being allocated to the entity, and adding the defined quantity of the entitlements to the enterprise&#39;s group of entitlements. If the entity is more than one user, such as a department with 5 people, the entitlement revocation routine  770  may remove one entitlement from each person or may remove the unconsumed entitlements first, then remove the consumed entitlements on a first consumed, first removed or a first consumed, last removed basis. The entitlement revocation routine  770  then notifies the entity of the revocation  778 , for example, by email. The entitlement revocation routine  770  may also send out an email to the administrator notifying them of the entitlement revocation. The entitlement revocation routine  770  then updates one or more of the databases shown in  FIG. 2  so that the affected pages shown herein reflect that the entitlement has been allocated to the entity  784 . The entitlement revocation routine  770  then ends  786 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 18  is an example of a computer system  800  with which embodiments of the present invention may be utilized. Computer system  800  represents an exemplary client system or server system from which enterprise users may initiate interactions with the digital content distribution framework  50  or upon which one or more of the digital content distribution framework components may run, respectively. In this simplified example, the computer system  800  comprises a bus  801  or other communication means for communicating data and control information, and one or more processors  802 , such as Intel Itanium® or Itanium 2 processors, coupled with bus  801 . 
         [0090]    Computer system  800  further comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (referred to as main memory  804 ), coupled to bus  801  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor(s)  802 . Main memory  804  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor(s)  802 . 
         [0091]    Computer system  800  also comprises a read only memory (ROM)  806  and/or other static storage device coupled to bus  801  for storing static information and instructions for processor(s)  802 . 
         [0092]    A mass storage device  807 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and its corresponding drive, may also be coupled to bus  801  for storing instructions and information, such as configuration files, a key store and registration database, etc. 
         [0093]    One or more communication ports  803  may also be coupled to bus  801  for supporting network connections and communication of information to/from the computer system  800  by way of a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, or the public switched telephone network (PSTN), for example. The communication ports  803  may include various combinations of well-known interfaces, such as one or more modems to provide dial up capability, one or more 10/100 Ethernet ports, one or more Gigabit Ethernet ports (fiber and/or copper), or other well-known network interfaces commonly used in inter-network environments. In any event, in this manner, the computer system  800  may be coupled to a number of other network devices, clients, and/or servers via a conventional network infrastructure, such as an enterprise&#39;s Intranet, server farm and/or the Internet, for example. 
         [0094]    Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces (not shown), such as a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus  801  to support direct operator interaction with computer system  800 . Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication ports  803 . 
         [0095]    Finally, removable storage media (not shown), such as one or more external or removable hard drives, tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical discs, compact disk-read-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk writable memories (CD-R, CD-RW), digital versatile discs or digital video discs (DVDs) (e.g., DVD-ROMs and DVD+RW), Zip disks, or USB memory devices, e.g., thumb drives or flash cards, may be coupled to bus  801  via corresponding drives, ports or slots. 
         [0096]    Embodiments of the present invention include various steps. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. 
         [0097]    Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, random access memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may also be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer to a requesting computer by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection). 
         [0098]    While, for convenience, embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to Microsoft® .NET software technologies, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), and Extensible Markup Language (XML), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI), the present invention is equally applicable to various other software technologies, web services platforms, wire protocols, discovery mechanisms and description languages. For example, embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented with Java Technology, such as Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) software technologies available from Sun Microsystems, various other standards developed by the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), and the like. Similarly, various alternative serialized message, framing and protocol binding mechanisms may be employed and endpoint description and registry of endpoints may be in accordance with substitutes for UDDI and WSDL. 
         [0099]    Finally, for purposes of illustration and for the sake of brevity, embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of a software distribution framework; however, the techniques and methodologies described herein are thought to be broadly applicable to the distribution of digital content in general. 
         [0100]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Specifically, while the process is described in terms of a continuous process, it is contemplated that the process can be implemented as a batch process. In addition, where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc. 
         [0101]    Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The discussion of a reference in the herein is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.