A electronic asset lending library method and apparatus enables the electronic
management and reassignment of licenses for unused electronic assets installed
on computers connected through a communications network. Licensing data for the
unused electronic assets is released by the currently assigned owner and made available
to one or more communities of users for display by product category, name, or keyword
search. Once released, the lending library notifies the currently assigned owner
to remove the unused electronic asset from their computer and transfers the licensing
data to a library account. Eligible borrowers are permitted to request a re-assignment
of an available released license for an unused electronic asset from a lending
library account to their own account. Upon re-assignment the electronic asset lending
library automatically notifies the borrower with instructions for the download
and installation of the unused electronic asset to their computer. A borrower is
determined to be eligible if she belongs to the same community as the currently
assigned owner of the unused electronic asset and if she is on an access control
list previously created for the unused electronic asset. Ineligible borrowers can
request exception overrides to enable them to borrow a selected electronic asset.
Licenses can be re-assigned at no cost or for a fee negotiated by the currently
assigned owner.
