|
licenseManager - Management of License and Price Models for Geoservices
The licenseManager component of the sdi.suite is used for defining, organising and applying licence and price models for services offered in service-based spatial data infrastructures.
It permits licensed access to geoservices based on the enforcement of an agreement laying down conditions and restrictions of use as well as price and fee models. Based on the proven design of the sdi.suite securityManager, the licenseManager makes it possible to define licence models by which services can be used. The licence agreement is concluded electronically, and enforced whenever the service is accessed . Price or charge models can be determined individually and assigned to the respective commercial geoservices. The spectrum ranges from a simple flat rate to a complex, usage-dependent pay-per-use model, which can also incorporate price reductions and bulk discounts.
In addition, it is also possible to use the licenseManager to define freely accessible conditions of use, which may, for instance, explicitly exclude the use of services for commercial purposes. This option, known as a click-through licence, is similar to the method of accepting licence conditions during a software installation, and makes it possible for both public and private providers to agree licence and usage conditions with users.
In the context of INSPIRE, the licenseManager can also be employed as an e-commerce service, in line with Article 14 (4) of the INSPIRE directive. In this way, it represents an effective tool for institutions wishing to charge fees for selected INSPIRE network services and to offer them within the terms of an electronic licence agreement.
However, the construction of shop solutions for spatial services and their integration in geoportals is supported by the systematic use of standards and the modular structure of the licenseManager. The licenseManager therefore represents a comprehensive and easily integrable solution for regulating licence and usage rights in service-based spatial data infrastructures.
|
