UPDATE METHOD FOR LICENSE INFORMATION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an update method for license information, allowing use of software even when a part of a computer obtaining use permission of the software is exchanged. SOLUTION: When use of the software is permitted only in the specific computer and when the license information thereof is managed by an authentication server, a whole characteristic value including all the exchange target parts and a plurality of partial characteristic values except at least one of the exchange target parts are calculated in time of the first start-up of the software, and combination thereof is registered in the authentication server. In time of the first computer start-up after the part exchange, the exchanged part is recognized, and is recorded. In time of the first software start-up after the part exchange, a whole characteristic value and a partial characteristic value are calculated, and are transmitted to the authentication server. In the authentication server, the whole characteristic value and the partial characteristic value excluded with the parts except the exchanged part are updated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT