SECURED ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A THREE-TIER STRUCTURE

摘要

A system is provided for retrieving a selected one of a plurality of encrypted software products stored in at least one storage device, such as a CD-ROM. Each software product is decryptable by a unique decryption key. The user can select a software product to decrypt upon receipt of the corresponding decryption key. A remote vender station, having a unique password, is selectively coupled to the end-user station. A remote server is connected to the vender station, via a network. The server receives a request for the decryption key corresponding to the transmitted selected software product and the end-user serial number. The server then generates and transmits the decryption key to the vender station based on the selected software product and the serial number. Thereafter, the vender station transmits the decryption key to the end-user.