Patent ID: 7480636

Claim:
A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising: encapsulating means operable to encapsulate a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work having an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally disabled for use, and a trial state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally enabled for use for a predetermined trial period; distribution means for transferring the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee, and for transferring the encapsulated work from the transferee to a subsequent transferee; and switching means operable to switch the encapsulated work in the trial state to be in the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee and to switch the encapsulated work from the enabled state to the trial state when the encapsulated work is thereafter transferred from the transferee to the subsequent transferee, wherein the predetermined conditions of use include at least one of (i) the transferee registering as an authorized purchaser of the digitally distributable work and (ii) the transferee paying a licence fee for a licence to use the digitally distributable work.