Software is securely distributed with limited usage rights. The software
may be an executable program and/or one or more data files such as image or multimedia
data files. The software includes an access control object which prevents at least
some usage of the software without use of a first access control code. The first
access control code is produced based on selected information characteristic of
the user's computer system. The access control code is produced in a server computer
to which the user directs a request for the access control code. The user makes
a payment to receive the access control code, which is then downloaded to the user's
computer system.