1

A system for auditing the use of software on a computing device, the system comprising:a data collection server which, in response to a communication link being available between the data collection server and the computing device, is configured to:receive from the computing device, via the communication link, data including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) an event identifier identifying a usage event performed by the software;

access a database storing previously received software identifiers, device identifiers, and event identifiers; and

update the database to include the received data.

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2

The system of Claim 1, wherein the software identifier comprises at least one of a product identifier, a software signature, a software version number, and a license identifier.

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3

The system of Claim 1, wherein the event identifier includes a time stamp indicating a usage event time.

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4

The system of Claim 1, wherein the usage event comprises one of an initialization event, an upgrade event, a licensing event, and a restricted feature event.

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5

The system of Claim 4, wherein following the upgrade event, the data further includes a software version identifier.

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6

The system of Claim 4, wherein following the licensing event, the data further includes a license identifier.

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7

The system of Claim 1, wherein, to update the database, the data collection server is further configured to:compare the received device identifier and software identifier with the device identifiers and software identifiers, respectively, stored within the database;

update records within the database to reflect the received data where at least one of the received device identifier and software identifier is already stored within the database; and

add a record to the database to reflect the received data where neither of the received device identifier and software identifier is already stored within the database.

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8

A method for auditing the use of software on a computing device, the method comprising:establishing a communication link between a data collection server and the computing device;

receiving at the data collection server from the computing device, via the communication link, data including (a) a software identifier identifying the software, (b) a device identifier identifying the computing device, and (c) an event identifier identifying a usage event performed by the software;

accessing a database storing previously received and associated software identifiers, device identifiers, and event identifiers; and

updating the database to include the received data.

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9

The method of Claim 8, wherein the software identifier comprises at least one of a product identifier, a software signature, a software version number, and a license identifier.

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10

The method of Claim 8, wherein the event identifier includes a time stamp indicating a usage event time.

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