A predetermined number of assigned units for each of a plurality of
individually selectable pieces of digital content are checked when each
piece of digital content is executed in a customer computer network or on
an application service provider. Execution of a requested digital content
is granted when the number of required units to execute the requested
digital content is less than or equal to the total number of available
units. Any licensed digital content may be executed on the separate
application service provider through a communication network. Access is
granted for execution of the requested digital content by a license
manager based on whether the application service provider required units
of the requested digital content are greater than the available units on
the requesting customer computer network. Execution of the requested
digital content on the application service provider may be immediate if
the application service provider is available or execution can be
delayed. If the requested digital content cannot be executed immediately,
the required units can be locked up and charged to the customer computer
network available units or left uncharged.