| 摘要 |
This invention relates to metered usage, and prevention of piracy, of computer software and other intellectual property existing in electronic digital format. The end result of the invention enables soft--ware-on-demand and software subscription services by employing a transformation filter (104) to perpetually regulate, meter, and charge for the usage of software products. The apparatus is implemented as a virtually integral part of the operating system that monitors and "filter" all read, write, and open/execute acccess to and from the I/O devices (106). As the protected material is being accessed, the transformation filter (104) positions itself in the path required for loading the material through the file system and application layers. The material enters the transformation filter (104) in its encrypted state and is decrypted in real-time as it goes through. The material is then handed over to the operating system components (107/108) to fulfill the user access requests.
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