A method and system for controlling the use of software

摘要

The system is for controlling use of software which comprises information on a large number of documents each having a number of units allocated thereto and comprises electronic storage media (1) for storing the information; output apparatus (2) for printing a selected document and electronic control apparatus (3) capable of accessing the information stored within the electronic storage media (1); the electronic storage media including a record (4) which is accessed to determine whether or not the software may be used for printing a selected document, the record (4) including a counter for recording units such that the printing of a selected document is only permitted if the number of units held in the counter is sufficient relative to the number of units allocated to the selected document.