Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is a system for providing secure access and execution of application software stored on a first computer by a second computer using a communication device while a communication link is maintained between the first and second computers. More specifically, the present invention is a secure software rental system. The system enables a user in a remote location using a personal computer and a modem to connect to a central rental facility, transfer application software from the central rental facility to the remote computer, and execute the application software on the remote computer while electronically connected to the central rental facility. When the communication link between the central rental facility and the remote computer is interrupted or terminated, the application software no longer executes on the remote computer. This is accomplished by integrating header software with the application software according to the present invention. The application software stored on the central rental facility is integrated with the header software to provide a security feature of present invention. The use of header software allows the user to execute the application software only while the user is electronically connected to the central rental facility continuously. This prevents the user from copying the application software to a storage device of the remote computer, and subsequently executing the application software after interrupting or terminating the communications link between the central rental facility and the remote computer.

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First Claim