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Abstract

This invention pertains to the field of creating incentives for the completion of the design of integrated electronic circuits (chips). Modern chip design use sophisticated computer aided design software (CAD tools). Typically, CAD tools are sold or rented with pricing schemes that restrict the number of copies and usage of the software and are accompanied by a time-based maintenance charge. These pricing schemes do not encourage cooperation and business efficiency. In one embodiment of the invention, a CAD tool vendor receives two payments, one for access to the technology, providing unlimited usage and copies of the software, and a second payment when the technology produces a useful result. This connects vendor payment to the success of the customer. The vendor finds it advantageous to create tools that are easy to learn, easy to use, and with all the necessary functionality. The CAD tool vendor is more likely to quickly resolve any problem encountered by a customer in order to hasten the completion of the customer's program and hence receive the payment. By sharing the financial risk, the vendor becomes a trusted partner in the customer's program and increases customer productivity. The software vendor becomes a key part of the supply chain and shares in the rewards of opening the customer's productivity bottleneck.

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First Claim