Patent ID: 7672972

Claim:
For use in a customer computer network having at least one node capable of executing digital content from a digital content source on the customer computer network or executing digital content from a digital content source on an application service provider, a licensing method comprising the steps of: a. providing licensed units to a customer; b. providing independently selectable digital content; c. assigning a predetermined number of customer computer network assigned units to each independently selected digital content when the digital content is run on the customer computer network; d. assigning a predetermined number of application service provider assigned units to each independently selected digital content when the digital content is run on the application service provider; e. charging a number of checked out units to the customer computer network based on the digital content currently being run by the customer on the customer computer network and on the application service provider; f. selecting through the customer computer network one of the customer computer network and the application service provider for execution of a selected digital content; g. determining a number of available units equal to the difference between the total licensed units to the customer computer network and the total checked out units charged to the customer computer network for digital content currently being executed on the customer computer network and on the application service provider for the customer; and h. determining whether a requested digital content is to be executed or denied execution on the selected one of the customer computer network and the application service provider based on the difference between the available units on the customer computer network requesting execution of the digital content and the assigned units of the selected digital content on the selected customer computer network and the application service provider.