METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESTRICTING ACCESS TO AN ELECTRONIC PRODUCT RELEASE WITHIN AN ELECTRONIC SOFTWARE DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

The invention provides a method and apparatus for limiting access to a selected release of a software Product and/or associated License Keys to a subset of the manufacturer's customers who are entitled to receive the software Product or digital good, within an electronic software delivery and management system. A Product release is transmitted to the system for storage and limited distribution to a subset of entitled customers. A user interface enables the manufacturer, or partner such as a reseller, to specify distribution parameters that restrict distribution of the product version to specified customers. At least one customer is selected, such as, for example, one or more customers authorized to receive the product version. The product version is further designated as a restricted product version for the selected customers. Finally, the customer restriction information is stored in appropriate tables within a database.