Patent ID: 8099366

Claim:
A method of distributing software, comprising digital data and computer executable programs useful with a computer system, the method comprising: recording the digital data and the computer executable programs on a non-volatile storage device in the computer system; recording computer readable instructions in the computer system, the computer readable instructions configured to automatically implement access authorization procedures; and automatically controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs in the computer system by at least: in response to receiving a first request from a first entity for access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data; when the party provides authorization to grant access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to record the authorization in the computer system and grant a first access to the digital data and the computer executable programs based on the recorded authorization; and in response to receiving at least a second request from the first entity for access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to grant a second access to the digital data based on the authorization recorded in the computer system and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to the digital data and the computer executable programs; wherein the computer executable programs comprise program instructions configured to enable stand-alone operation of the software without continued access to a network.