A method for managing inter-object communication is provided. With the method, objects obtain licenses to interact with one another via a licensing framework. When an object wishes to enter into an interaction with another object, the first object sends its license to the second object. The second object then sends a request to the framework requesting that a partnership between the objects be generated. The partnership request includes an identification of the two objects' licenses. The objects' licenses are then validated and, assuming the licenses are valid, a partnership object is created. References to the partnership object are forwarded to the objects which then use the reference to the partnership object to communicate with the other object in the partnership rather than a direct reference to the other partner object. When one object of the partnership lapses, by failure of a module with which the object is associated, for example, a lapse event is posted to the licensing framework. In response to the lapse event, the licensing framework determines the partnerships of the lapsed object. The partner objects of the partnerships in which the lapsed object was active are identified and informed of the lapse of the object. The partnership objects are then torn down and resources reclaimed.