Software Protection License Types

Several license types are supported for applications and documents. With minimal effort, products can be protected and presented to different customer groups using the most appropriate license type.

With QuickLicense, the software protection, license management and activation decisions are largely removed from the application development process. Developers can focus on the core, value-added features unique to their application.

Comparison of Software License Types

Trial

    A trial license restricts application or document use to a limited number of days or executions. The license can auto-activate on first launch or present an activation dialog to collect user data.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Product

    A Product license is a common and secure way to activate software for a specific machine. Once activated, the license can run forever without Internet access.

    On first launch, the user typically enters a Serial Number received during purchase or on the CD to activate the product on their computer.

    To manually activate a license without Internet access, a computer unique Activation Code is provided by phone or email.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • WebActivation
    • Desktop License Server
    • Email or Phone
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Try/Buy

    Separate Trial and Product licenses can be integrated into a Try/Buy license. On each launch, the Try Buy License dialog is presented. Click Trial to start or continue the trial process.

    A customer can click Buy to present your web page to buy the product. Click Product to permanently activate the Product license and never see this dialog again.

    Alternatively, Safe Activation Service 3 supports a combined Trial to Product license. Using a single Ticket created with QuickLicense, the license starts as a Trial, shows time or launches remaining on each launch and then can be converted to a permanent Product license by entering a purchased Serial Number.

Named

    A name specific license provides a modest amount of protection by using an Organization Name and Activation Code pair to activate a protected license. This information can be used to activate the software on any number of computers, but since it identifies the name of the organization it may reduce the risk of piracy. Once activated, the application files cannot be copied to any other computer, which further restricts causal piracy since the pirate needs the original activation information.

    With this license type, the Organization Name and Activation Code pair can be sent to the user at the time of purchase. WebActivation includes a method to generate Name/Code pairs for an automated order fulfillment process.

    Implementation Methods
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Dynamic

    A dynamic license is very simple to administer in volume and resilient to hardware and software changes. The activation server automatically manages the number of computers on which a license can be used based on the Max Activation number for that Serial Number. A dynamic license requires an occasional, invisible connection between the application and activation server.

    The vendor can configure how many days or executions are allowed between connections. This type of license can work well in large organizations, universities or dynamic environments with roaming computers and extended periods without an Internet connection.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • Desktop License Server
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Floating

    A floating license allows a software license to be easily moved from one computer to another. This is implemented through a license release and license restore process automated through the activation server. Both Product and Dynamic licenses can be used to present a Floating license.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • WebActivation
    • Desktop License Server
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Internet

    An Internet dependent license is very secure, easy to implement and administer from Safe Activation. It is resilient to hardware or software changes on a desktop or server computer. This license requires communication with Safe Activation on each launch. It can be used to implement a trial or perpetual license for a desktop or server application.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • Desktop License Server
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)

Subscription

    A subscription license requires a monthly, quarterly or yearly Subscription Code. The Subscription Code can be provided with a customized batch email from QuickLicense itself or through a fully or semi-automated process using Safe Activation.

    Using Safe Activation, the subscription process can be fully automated. Each customer enters a unique Serial Number on first launch and the software remains active during the subscription term. The vendor clears the Subscriber checkbox for a Serial Number if the customer subscription expires.

    The order process can be fully automated. Credit card data is collected during the order process and charged each month. The Serial Number can be automatically sent in an email. If the customer cancels the subscription, the Subscriber checkbox for that Serial Number can be automatically cleared to disable access to the software.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • WebActivation
    • Desktop License Server
    • Email or Phone
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Group

    A group license is a computer specific license applied to a group of applications or documents within a product. On first launch, the user typically enters a Serial Number received during purchase or on the CD to activate any one item in the group. All other items share the same license so no activation dialog is presented.

    A vendor may choose to provide additional protected applications or documents over time with download links or CDs that share the same group activation. The group license offers license security and customer convenience.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • WebActivation
    • Desktop License Server
    • Email or Phone
             
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

Server

    A floating license server allows a Protected Application or Protected Document to float between computers on a customer network. The auto-generated License Server and License Monitor applications run on computers within the network and require no Internet access.

    The customer can easily use your application on any computer with minimal administrative effort. The vendor securely controls how many active licenses are allowed and can sell additional floating licenses with a server code that can be entered by the customer.

    Activation Methods   Implementation Methods
    • Safe Activation
    • WebActivation
    • Desktop License Server
    • Email or Phone
    • Vendor Implemented
             
    • QuickLicense Server
    • QuickLicense API
    • AddLicense Wrapper
    • Plugins (Xojo or FileMaker)
    • DocProtect

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