WO2007147408A1

WO2007147408A1 - A digital content distribution system with a license key containing an id of the distributor

Info

Publication number: WO2007147408A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Juhl BØRSEN; Flemming Thrane; Kim Hermann Andersen
Original assignee: Wannakey A/S
Priority date: 2006-06-21
Filing date: 2007-06-19
Publication date: 2007-12-27

Abstract

A computer system comprising - a distributor server (18, 4) for authorised distribution of digital content, the distributor server (18, 4) being configured to distribute the digital content with added information that is associated with the distributor server (18, 4), for example in the form of a first software key, - a license server (5) independent of the distributor server (18, 4) for issuing a license for the distributed digital content upon request from a client, for example through a second software key, the request containing a computer identification uniquely identi- tying the client device, the license server being programmed to issue a license containing a license key to be forwarded via a data network (2) to the client (3) and containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content but limited to the specific client device (3) of the user.

Description

A digital content distribution system with a license key containing an ID of the distributor

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a computer system with a distributor server for authorised distribution of digital content file, for example a computer program product, and a license server for issuing a license with a software key necessary for unlocking the digital content file, wherein the digital content key contains data uniquely identifying the client device, for example computer or other digital terminal, for limiting the digital content file to only be executable or shown on the specific client device. The invention also relates to a license server, a client device, a software key, a digital content file and a method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice to sell digital content files through the Internet. Typically, a digital content vendor sells digital content desired by a user, and issues a license for the use of the digital content. The license is implemented by transmitting a small secu- rity software key, typically called a license key, which is necessary for activation of the digital content to run or be shown on the client device where the digital content is installed. Often, the license key is downloaded along with the digital content from a digital content sale server.

The license key necessary to execute the digital content product, ensures that the digital content is used in accordance with the license, for example such that others than the user for whom the license key is issued is prohibited from illegally copying and using the digital content.

However, if a license for digital content is issued without authenticating the apparatus specially designated for the digital content, for example a personal computer (PC), the user owning the digital content can reveal information on the license to a third party so that the third party other than the user owning the digital content is capable of using the digital content. An improvement with respect to this problem, concerning software program products, has been disclosed in European patent application EP 1 522 914. hi order to prevent downloaded software from being copied and used illegally, the software sale server is informed of apparatus information unique to the computer and a user ID assigned to the user when the computer is sold to the user. When the user purchases sale software from the software sale server, the software sale server saves in a database the name and version of the sale software, associating the name and the version with the user ID and the apparatus information. When the user activates the sale software for the first time, the computer transmits the user ID, the apparatus information, the software name and the software version to the software sale server to be collated with their respective counterparts, which were saved before in a database server. If a result of collation indicates that the pieces of information match their counterparts, a license key for activating the sale software is transmitted to the computer from a license server functionally connected to the database server and the sale server.

However, the system disclosed in European patent application EP 1 522 914 has a number of disadvantages. First of all, the system requires that the user ID is assigned to the client and stored when the computer is sold to the client. As the user ID is personal, the selling of the computer by the client to another client does not automatically imply a usable user ID for the other client, which implies difficulties for the other client when attempting to buy new software products via the sale server.

Another disadvantage is the fact that the seller needs to keep the database updated which implies necessary maintenance work such that this system is only suitable for rather large sale systems. For sellers with sale of only a few products, this system is inappropriate. This is the more valid in as much as the sale server also needs a connection to a license server for issue of a license, making the system complicated. Furthermore, the connection between the sale server, the database server and the license server has to work properly at all times in order for a client to experience the system to run smoothly, when the client desires to get a license immediately after purchasing the product from the seller. DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a system that does not have the above disadvantages.

This object is achieved by a computer system comprising

- a distributor server for authorised distribution of digital content products, the distributor server being configured to distribute the digital content product with added identity information that is associated with the distributor server, for example in the form of a first software key, - a license server independent of the distributor server for issuing a license for the distributed digital content product upon request from a client, for example through a second software key, the request containing data indicative of the distributor server and a computer identification uniquely identifying the client device, the license server being programmed to issue a license containing a software key to be forwarded via a data network to the client device and containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content but limited to the specific client device of the user.

The term digital content covers any distributed digital content file, for example music or video products or computer program products. The term client device covers a client computer terminal, for example a personal computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone or other form for digital computer terminal.

By the invention, the license server is independent of a distributor/sale server. This means that the license server needs not to be functionally connected to the distributor server. In fact, the distributor server may not at all be a sale server, because no financial transaction is required with the sale server. For small scale distribution and sale of digital content products, this is an ideal situation. The distributor server is easily set up only to distribute digital content products. License issue and payment is decoupled from the distribution and may be performed in a larger instance working for a plurality of distributors. On the other hand, as the request for a license contains information about the distributor, part of the license earning can be transmitted to the distributor after issue of a license and payment by a client. The task of the distributor server according to the invention is not actually to sell anything but merely a free distribution of digital content. The system according to the invention is constructed such that the necessary information, namely only data indicative of the corresponding distributor server itself, is transmitted along with the distributed product, for example as a first software key. All other information is independent of the distributor server, as prices for licenses are stored in a database in connection with the license server.

This also has got the advantage, that downloaded products can be distributed freely among users. For example, if one client has downloaded digital content from a distributor server, the client may give this digital content freely to other users. The other users cannot use the digital content, as the digital content is locked, until a license key has been received by the computer machine, where the license key contains the ID of the respective computer machine on which the digital content is to be used. Thus, only when the digital content is registered with a license afterwards, where the license includes the actual ID of the computer containing the digital content, a user can use the digital content.

Thus, a big advantage of the system according to the invention is the fact that the request for a license contains the ID of the distributor associated with the distributor server. For example, if a digital content has been downloaded from a distributor server only once, and the user distributes the digital content among other users, the ID from the distributor server follows the digital content such that further licenses will induce an earning for the distributor every time, a license is requested for a digital content originating as a copy from the originally downloaded digital content.

The distribution among users may be an advantage for those users with a slow Internet connection. Instead of requiring long time for download of a digital content from the distributor server through the slow connection, another user with a fast connection may download the digital content, create a data disk with the digital content and handle the disk to the user with the slow Internet connection. This user may install the digital content from the disk and only needs to access the license server through the Internet for paying for a license in order to use the digital content on the computer machine.

The consequence is that downloaded digital content may freely be distributed among users without being illegal. As the digital content are prevented from being used on more than one machine, a high degree of security is achieved for the selling party. For the distributor, there is the advantage that an income is assured also if only a few digital contents are downloaded, if only the users distribute the digital content among each others — as many users typically do - and afterwards pay for a license. Thus, the inven- tion takes into account the habits of - especially young - users and secures a proper income for the distributor by the technical solutions according to the invention, where a license server issues licenses without interference from the distributor server.

The first software key may be an alphanumerical code that is created by the distributor server and displayed to the client at the distributor's internet site when downloading the digital content. The client may then enter the alphanumerical code through the keyboard when the client starts a pre-step of the digital content. Alternatively, the first software key may be displayed to the client, when downloading has terminated. As a further alternative, the first software key may not be displayed to the user at all but may lie implicitly in the downloaded digital content.

The second software key may be a result from the pre-step of the digital content. During this pre-step, the product uses reading means for reading an identification code from the hardware of the client device, for example the alphanumeric identification number of the processing unit (CPU). By incorporating this alphanumeric identification number, for example in an encrypted way, a second software key is generated automatically by suitable program routines in the digital content. This software key contains data for identification of the distributor, which is obtained from the first software key, and data for identification of the specific client device, to which the digi- tal content has been downloaded. The second software key may be an alphanumeric code that has to be entered into a corresponding field on the user interface when the user accesses the license server, for example by way of a publicly accessible Internet site. Alternatively, the second software key may automatically be transmitted to the license server upon request by the user, for example by indication during the pre-step of the digital content.

After receipt of the second software key, a third software key is generated by the Ii- cense server, namely the license key . In case of an Internet communication, the license key may be displayed to the client as an alphanumerical code on the user interface of the license server's Internet site. The code may be entered by the client through the keyboard as a validation action during the pre-step for getting the digital content properly usable on the client device. After the entering of this code, the digital content may function as desired by the client. Alternatively, the license key may automatically be transferred to the client device in order to initiate a proper activation and functioning of the digital content.

In order to also provide a proper means for payment of the digital content to the crea- tor/programmer of the digital content, the license server is functionally connected to a database containing data indicative of the creator of the digital content for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the creator.

The term creator has to be understood in a wide sense. The creator may be understood as the programmer of a program, the musician creating a song, the film maker creating a video. However, the creator may also be the instance that creates a commercially suitable product from a raw file or a number of raw files, for example, the raw files including a number of computer programs from different programmers, a number of music songs, or different video movies.

An idea behind the invention is the fact that the system also comprises an Internet portal for receiving a digital content from a creator. The creator/programmer may upload his digital content on the portal and, this way, make it possible for distribution. In order to a have a reference at the license server, the creator also uploads reference data for transfer of license income to the creator, for example a bank account. Furthermore, the portal may receive indications for a price for the digital content. All the information is then stored in the database. The uploading of digital contents for distribution is decentralised in the sense that the creators themselves upload digital contents to a central distribution system without having to negotiate with a sales organisation and without having to negotiate on benefit and prices for the digital content. If the price is set too low, it is at the creators own volition. If the price is too high, the selling will go slow. The responsibility lies at the creator's side along with the freedom to decide for the conditions for the product. For example, the portal may in addition present a user Interface to the creator for indicating whether the digital content product is limited for distribution among specially selected, authorised distributors, and for indicating the selection of one or more distribu- tors.

Concerning the distributors, the same or another Internet portal is programmed for receiving from a potential distributor a request for authorisation as distributor for a selection or all of the digital content for which the database contains information. Thus, also the distributor's side is decentralised in that the distributors approach the system in order to become an authorised distributor. Due to the decentralisation, small dealers may benefit from selling specific digital content matching the community to which the small dealer pertains without the need for the small dealer to set-up a complicated licensing system, and sale system.

The upload of digital content by the creator for distribution and the authorisation of distributors may be performed automatically by the computer system according to the invention without interference by human personnel at the servers side.

As seen from the server side, the invention may be defined as a license server for distribution of a license for a digital content over a public data network, wherein the license server is configured for

- receiving digital data representing an automatically computer generated request for a license for the digital content from a client device together with a computer identifica- tion uniquely identifying the client device, the request containing a digital content identification for the specific digital content and information about an original, authorised distributor of the digital content. - checking whether the digital content information is associated with stored information, and in the affirmative

- submitting a license key back to the client device, the license key containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content but limited to the specific client device.

After having received or downloaded the digital content, the product may be activated only to the extent that the computer ID is read and a message is displayed that a license has to be requested. The digital content may also by itself initiate a contact via the public network to the license server for receipt of a license, for example by purchase.

In certain cases, a first license may be given for free for a certain period. However, a second license for free may be prevented for the same client device, because the data for the client device, for example the CPU identification number, has been submitted to the license server once before and has been stored in the database such that the corresponding client device appears as known in the system for determination of whether a license has to be purchased or can be granted for free for a certain additional period.

As mentioned in connection with the system in general above, the license server may be configured to store in a database related information about the digital content and the original, authorised distributor for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the distributor. Stored may be the price for the digital content as decided by the creator when uploading the digital content on the Internet portal. Addi- tionally, there may be stored information about the type of the digital content, the version and other related information which is necessary or advantageous in connection with sale of licenses for a digital content. Such information is necessary in order to provide electronic catalogues such that the interested client quickly can find the digital content.

hi accordance to the invention, the license server is advantageously configured for requesting payment for a license in dependence of the stored information and configured for only submitting the license key upon payment of a license fee. Thus, all fi- nancial transactions are concentrated around the license server system and not around the distributor server system.

Essential for the invention is the fact that the distributor ID appears in connection with a digital content distributed by the distributor and possibly later copied. This information is advantageously contained, preferably in encrypted form, in a software key that is part of the digital content, for example as part of the desired digital content or as an additional digital content in a digital content product package.

Optionally, the license key may comprise digital data indicative of the creator of the digital content.

The digital content in connection with the invention contains digital information associated with a distributor server, for example account details of the distributor owning the distributor server, and is programmed to read the ED of the client machine on which the digital content is installed and programmed to forward the ED of the client machine together with the digital information associated with the distributor server to the license server. The digital content may be in any form of digital distributable content, for example computer program products, music, video, pictures, documents.

The client device in connection with the invention comprises

- reading means for reading out digital computer identification information, for example the CPU ID as mentioned above, uniquely identifying the client device in which a digital content has been installed, - receiving means for receiving a license key for activation of the digital content,

- control means for controlling activation of the digital content only in the case where the client device identification in the license key is in agreement with the client device identification information read out by said read means.

The client device may be a personal computer (PC) or a different type of computer, for example a mobile telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a play station or Media Center Optionally, the distributor may ask the client in connection with the downloading of the digital content, whether the client is interested in receiving information about updates of the digital content and/or information about products in certain — possibly likewise - categories. For the creator/developer of the product, this is an easy way to launch new products via the distributor.

When a digital content, for example a program product, has been downloaded into a client device, the above system assures that the digital content can only be used, if the content is on the correct device. In practice, this is achieved by running a digital file with a control routine, typically a dll-file, which checks, whether a valid license key exists on the device in agreement with the hardware data of the device. Only in the affirmative, the control routine opens the possibility for using the digital content, for example, running a digital program or playing a media file. This reduces the risk for unauthorised use of the digital content, hi principle, however, the control routine file may be changed by a criminal but clever device expert such that the control routine allows use of the digital content independently of whether a valid license key has been found or not.

In order to minimize this risk, a further option is built into the system in a further em- bodiment. In this case, the control routine file has a built-in function checking whether the original control routine file has been changed. The control routine file, so to say, checks itself for changes from the original version, hi practice, this may be performed by the well-known hash function. The creator of the digital content has built into the digital content, for example into a computer program, a hash sum that has been calcu- lated on the basis of the original control routine file which comes along with the remaining digital content. When the control routine file, after download to the client device is called for the license key check, the control routine calculates a hash sum on the basis of the present content in the control routine file. This calculated hash sum is compared to the hash sum in the digital content, and only if the two numbers are iden- tical, use of the digital content is allowed, hi addition or alternatively, a difference between the two hash sums leads to a transfer of the client device data and a related IP address to an alert server, in order for judicial steps to be taken against the user of the IP address. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to prior art, FIG. 2 illustrates the invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates the functioning of the system in more detail, FIG. 4 illustrates the commercial aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to prior art as disclosed in European patent application EP 1 522 914. When the user from a client device 3 want to purchase a computer program product for download through the Internet 2, the sale server 4 requests a user ID 10 from the client before purchase with a transfer of the product 11 from the digital content sale server 4 is possible. The digital content sale server 4 saves 13 in a database 6 the name and version of the sale digital content, associating the name and the version with the user ID and the apparatus information which was collected when the computer was sold to the client. When the user activates the bought digital content for the first time on the client device 3, the device 3 transmits 12 the user ID, the appa- ratus information, the digital content name and the digital content version to the digital content sale server 4 to be collated with their respective counterparts, which were saved 13 before in a database server 6. If a result of collation indicates that the pieces of information match their counterparts, the sale server initiates 14 a transfer 15 of a license key from the license server 5 to the client device 3 for activating the sale digi- tal content on the device 3. The reason for this complicated transaction is the aim to transmit a digital content license key to the user which limits the functioning of the digital content on a single computer.

As mentioned above in the introduction, the prior art system according to EP 1 522 914 requires that the seller has a sale server 4 with a connection to a license server 5 and that the seller 4 uses a database 6 for- storage of the data. This puts a large part of investment on the seller and necessary maintenance work in order to keep the database 6 updated. Furthermore, the connection between the sale server 6, the database server 6 and the license server 5 has to work properly at all times in order for a client 3 to experience the system to run smoothly.

FIG. 2 illustrates the system according to the invention. The distributor server 4 is only used for distribution 11 of digital content without the necessity of revealing any information to the distributor server 4 from the client device 3 other than the IP address necessary for sending the product. As soon as the distributor server 4 has sent 11 the digital content for download, no further action is required from the distributor server 4. The distributor server 4 only distributes digital content in this case. The digital con- tent product may contain an added digital piece of information - for simplicity called a first software key - in which the distributor ID is contained. Alternatively, the first software key is displayed as an alphanumeric code to the user at the instance of download of the program. The user than may have to enter the alphanumeric code when starting to use the digital content.

When the digital content is started for use/interpretation/running on the client device 3, a license is requested 16, and a connection to the license server 5 is established for purchasing a regular license or for receiving a time limited license for free as an introduction offer. The request is generated by the downloaded digital content itself or by associated software received along with the remaining digital content and contains data associated with the ID of the client device 3. For example, the CPU identification number may be incorporated in encrypted form in a second software key and transmitted to the license server 5 which stores the information in a database 6.

As soon as the request 16 is accepted, a digital content license key is displayed to the user or submitted 15 to the client device 3 for activation of the functionality of the digital content as desired by the client. The use of the digital content is thus limited to the specific client machine 3, as the digital content or an associated software is configured to check, whether the computer ID extractable from the license key is identical to the computer ID of the client device 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the transactions in connection with the invention in greater detail. Digital content creators 22 may upload 23 their digital content via a portal 17. The portal 17 may be part of the license server system or may be on a different server functionally connected to the license server 5. The creator 22 uploads the digital content and submits information about the digital content. Additionally, the creator 22 may submit prices for the digital content, banking information for revenues, and informa- tion about the channels through which the digital content is to be distributed.

A main distributor server 18 receives 21 from the license server 5 information about the digital contents that have been uploaded through the creator portal 17 and receives the digital content themselves for further distribution. Once uploaded, a user may download digital content from the main distributor 18 to the client device.

A number of distributors 4 may access a distributor portal 19 and become authorised distributors 4, the identification information of which is stored in a database 20. The distributors 4 may download all or selected programs and the corresponding informa- tion from the main distributor 18, or they may create a link on their distributor homepage such that clients 3 are redirected to the main distributor homepage 18. hi any case, the distributor 4 may get economical benefits due to the selling effort at their own distributor site 4.

The economical aspects are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4. From the client device 3, the license server 5 receives the distributor ED, the digital content ID and payment for the product. From the database 6, the license server 5 receives the creator ID once the digital content ID is known, because the database has got the information link between a specific digital content and the creator of the digital content. The payment by the user is then distributed in different shares between the creator 22 and the distributor 4. Part of the amount is kept by the system with the license server 5.

For example, if the product is sold to a user with a client device 3 through the main distributor 18, the payment by the user is shared among the main distributor 18, the creator 22, and the system with the license server 5. If the product is sold through a distributor site 4, the payment by the user is shared among the distributor 4, the creator 22, and the system with the license server 5. Alternatively, if the product is sold through a distributor site 4, the payment by the user is shared among the main distribu- tor 18, the distributor 4, the creator 22, and the system with the license server 5. The latter may be of advantage, if the distributor 4 has a site with a link to the main distributor 18. The actual sale is performed by the main distributor 18, but the sale is initiated from a distributor 4 web site with a link to the main distributor 18 web site, from which the product is downloaded.

Likewise, the distributor 4 itself may take the role as the main distributor 18 in that it receives requests for buying a product from a further sub-distributor site. For example, the sub-distributor web site may advertise a digital content product for sale. If a user through his client device 3 requests purchase of the product, the request may be redirected to the distributor 4 site for download of the product. In this case, the payment by the user to the license server 5 is shared among the sub-distributor, the distributor 4, the creator 22, and the system with the license server 5.

A slightly different approach is found in the following business model implemented as a technical computer solution. A user may have purchased a product and downloaded the product to the user's client device 3. Being satisfied with the product, the user tend to recommend the product to friends and family, who then have to get a product from a distributor 4 or the main distributor 18 or from the client device 3. In addition, they have to purchase a license through the license server 5 in order for using the digital content. From a commercial point of view, the recommendation from the user with the client device 3 is a kind of sale action and can be rewarded by registering the client device 3 as a new distributor 4. The client device 3 gets a distributor ID and the user is rewarded by receiving part of the revenue when a new client purchases a license for a product.

This system client-becoming-distributor-system may be built up like multi level marketing MLM. However, a different business model is preferred, as explained in the following. The user with the client device 3 having purchased a license for a product from a distributor 4 and having been registered as a sub-distributor will get a share of the sale price. Another share is submitted to the creator 22. A minor part of the sale is kept by the system with the license server 5. Thus, when submitting license keys for a product distributed by the user from his client device 3 as a sub-distributor, the first software key contains the creator ID and the ID of the sub-distributor but not the distributor 4 ID from which the sub-distributor did receive a product initially. In other words, in a descending chain of sub-distributors below distributors 4 or below the main-distributor 18, only the last link in the chain receives a part of the license reve- nue.

This business model is in line with the above sharing model for the license revenues among the distributor 4, the creator 22, and the system with the license server 5. However, the difference between a distributor 4 and a sub-distributor is that a sub- distributor need not to have a sale web-site, but may act in private circles. The only technical means required for a sub-distributor is a sub-distributor ID and an associated account for receiving a share of the license revenues. For example, if a user has purchased a license for a certain price, and the share for sub-distribution of a new license is 25%, the user in the role of a sub-distributor has to convince 4 friends to buy a Ii- cense via the license server 5 in order to get a revenue balancing the price that the user paid for the license.

When a license is renewed in case it had been time limited, payment for the renewal also implies an automated payment to the other involved parties.

In addition, the user may access the license server 5 via his client device 3 in case that the license is to be transferred to another device, for example if the user has acquired a new computer to which the license should be linked instead.

The license system itself is a rather expensive system not suited for a small scale selling. However, by sharing the license system among a large number of minor distributors and a large number of digital content creators/programmers, the costs for the license system 5 is only a small part of the overall revenue, and the rather large investment for the license server is balanced by the large number of small amounts received as commission for using the license server 5.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising

- a distributor server (18, 4) for authorised distribution of digital content, the distributor server (18, 4) being configured to distribute (11) the digital content with added identity information that is associated with the distributor server (18, 4), for example in the form of a first software key,

- a license server (5) independent of the distributor server (18, 4) for issuing a license for the distributed digital content upon request (16) from a client device (3), for exam- pie through a second software key, the request containing a computer identification uniquely identifying the client device, the license server (5) being programmed to issue a license containing a license key to be forwarded (15) via a data network to the client device (3) and containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content but limited to the specific client device (3) of the user.

2. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein the license server (5) is programmed for issuing a license for the distributed digital content without interference from the distributor server (18, 4).

3. A computer system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the license server (5) is functionally connected to a database (6) containing information about the digital content and containing information about the distributor associated with the distributor server (18, 4) for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the distributor.

4. A computer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the client device (3) is configured for adding data indicative of the client device as a previous-client-ID to the digital content after download of the digital content to the client device (3).

5. A computer system according to claim 4, wherein the digital content when downloaded to a further client device (3) is programmed to check the digital content for a previous-client-ID and adding the previous-client-ID to the request (16) for a license.

6. A computer system according to claim 5, wherein the license server (5) is programmed for checking the request from the client device (3) for a previous-client-ID and storing in a database (6), that the product has been distributed by a previous client device with a previous-client-ID.

7. A computer system according to claim 6, wherein the license server (5) is programmed for checking whether the previous-client-ID is registered as a sub distributor with an account for submission of part of a revenue for the sub-distribution to the ac- count.

8. A computer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the license server (5) is functionally connected to a database containing data indicative of the creator (22) of the digital content for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the creator.

9. A computer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises an Internet portal for receiving from a product creator

- a digital content, - reference data for transfer of license income to the creator (22),

- indications for a price for the product, and for storing this information in the database (6).

10. A computer system according to claim 9, wherein the Internet portal is pro- grammed to present a user Interface to the creator (22) for indicating whether the digital content is limited for distribution among specially selected, authorised distributors (4), and for indicating the selection of one or more distributors (4).

11. A computer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises an Internet portal for receiving from a potential distributor a request for authorisation as distributor (4) for a selection or all of the digital content for which the database contains information.

12. A license server (5) for distribution of a license for a digital content over a public data network, the license server (5) being configured for

- receiving (16) digital data representing an automatically computer generated request for a license (first software key) for the digital content from a client device (3) together with a computer identification uniquely identifying the client device, the request (first software key) containing a digital content identification for the specific digital content and information about an original, authorised distributor of the digital content.

- checking whether the digital content information is associated with stored informa- tion, and in the affirmative

- submitting (15) a license key back to the client device (3), the license key containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content but limited to the specific client device.

13. A license server (5) according to claim 12 wherein the license server (5) is configured to store in a database related information about the digital content and the original, authorised distributor for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the distributor.

14. A license server (5) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the license server (5) is configured for requesting payment for a license in dependence of the stored information and configured for only sui?πiitting the license key upon payment of a license fee.

15. A license server (5) according to any of ώe claims 12-14, wherein the license key comprises data indicative of the creator of the digital content, the license server (5) is configured to store in a database related information about the digital content and the creator for transfer of part of the income from the purchased license to the creator.

16. A license key for a computer system according to any one of the claims 1-11 or a license server (5) according to any one of the claims 12-15, wherein the license key comprises digital data indicative of the creator of the computer program product.

17. A digital content containing digital information associated with a distributor server (18, 4) and being programmed to read the ID of the computer machine on which the digital content is installed and programmed to forward the ID of the computer machine together with the digital information associated with the distributor server (18, 4) to a license server (5).

18. A digital content according to claim 17, being programmed to add data indicative of the client device as a previous-client-ID to the digital content after download of the digital content to the client device (3) for further submission of the previous-client-ID together with the digital content.

19. A client device comprising:

- read means for reading out digital computer identification information uniquely identifying the client device (3) in which a digital content has been installed, - receiving means for receiving a license key for activation of the digital content,

- control means for controlling activation of said digital content only in the case where the computer identification in the license key matches the computer identification information read out by said read means.

20. A method for authorised distribution of digital content, comprising

- transmitting a digital content product from a distributor server (5) to a client device (3) with added identity information that is associated with the distributor server, for example in the form of a first software key,

- in the client device (3) producing a request for a license, the request containing data indicative of the distributor server (18, 4) and a client device identification uniquely identifying the client device (3),

- sending the request for a license from the client device (3) to a license server (5) independent of the distributor server (18, 4),

- in the license server (5) issuing a license containing a license software key and for- warding (15) the license via a data network (2) to the client device (3), the license containing digital data necessary for activation of the functionality of the digital content product but limited to the specific client device (3) of the user.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method comprises,

- adding the client device identification to the digital content as a previous-client-ID,

- distributing the digital content to a further client device,

- in the further client device producing a further request for a further license and send- ing the further request to the license server, the further request containing the previous-client-ID and the further client device identification uniquely identifying the further client device (3).