ActiveX designers, like ActiveX controls, support license keys that can be built into an application. Using license keys, a designer can distinguish between a license valid for creating new applications that use it (a design-time license) and a license valid to run an application that uses it (a run-time license). Licenses are stored in the registry under the Licenses subkey.
The host handles all licensing through the IClassFactory2 interface, just as it does for ActiveX controls. At design time, the host assumes that an ActiveX designer is appropriately licensed if the class factory successfully creates the visual designer. When the host attempts to create an executable application (.exe file), it requests a license for the run-time object. If the designer presents a license, the host uses it; if the designer does not, the host assumes that none is required.
For details of the IClassFactory2 interface, see the COM Programmer’s Reference in the Platform Software Development Kit (SDK).