a system for use on the internet or other network to allow automated licensing of works of authorship and access to information about licenses which have been granted . a unique work identifier is issued to each of a large number of works of authorship , most of which are available on the internet , but some of which are not . when the works are published , whether or not on the internet , the unique work identifier is included . the work identifier may also identify a distributor of the work or any other information desired by the publisher . the unique identifier leads to a web page where a user can accept an offered license to do one or more of : reproduce , distribute , perform , display , or prepare derivative works . the system then automatically generates a unique license identifier which is placed in each copy of the work prepared by the licensee . the license identifier leads to a web page which states the particulars of the license that was granted .