This question is about distributing license activation keys for a software product in a manner which is trustworthy and secure.

Assume you work for a small software firm which is in the business of developing software products for sale under some kind of software licensing agreement to end users, commonly referred to as a EULA or End User License Agreement. The firm has made the decision to distribute its software product using the worldwide web as the delivery vehicle.

You are charged with formulating a report to your management about the state of the art of generating and managing software license keys for use with the firm's product distribution activities.

By using the Internet and/or other research tools at your disposal, write a brief report, not to exceed four pages in length, which overviews the topic including identifying current "best practices" available to the software industry today.

Try to find by searching the Internet, or other means, at least two, available packages which provide key formulation and key management capabilities for software product distribution with "license activation using keys" capabilities. If you are unsuccessful in discovering such methods please explain why. Describe in your own words the type of high level processes and analysis which must be carried out in order to produce such a key management package.

Assuming you find two or more such systems, pick any two. Describe each and compare and contrast your chosen two and make a recommendation as to which one should be adopted by your firm. Clearly explain why you chose a particular package.