A system for managing licenses for protected software on a communication network is disclosed. The system includes at least one client computer that is capable of being coupled to or decoupled from the communication network. While coupled to the communication network, a user of the client computer may request a commuter authorization to use the protected software. At least one license server is also coupled to the communication network. Each license server is programmed for managing a distribution of allocations to use the protected software. In addition, at least one of the license servers is programmed for granting a commuter authorization in response to a request for a commuter authorization from a client computer if there is an available authorization. After a commuter authorization is received by a client computer, the client computer stores a commuter authorization lifetime representing a time period for which the commuter authorization is valid. The client computer may then use the protected software while coupled to or decoupled from the communication network until the commuter authorization lifetime expires.