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 the 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.