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title: "Licensing - Locating CopyMinder"
canonical: "https://servicedesk.maxgeo.com/space/MAXGEO/1066532865/Licensing%20-%20Locating%20CopyMinder"
format: markdown
---
**What is CopyMinder?**
CopyMinder is a licensing service. It records validly issued License Keys and communicates with a central service via the internet to periodically validate the License Keys. Validation of the License Key includes verification of the number of 'seats' associated with each License Key. Each 'seat' permits 1 concurrent user.
Your use of software is contingent upon the correct operation of CopyMinder.
*LeaseControl: Older LeaseControl licensing, commonly referred to as "standalones", do not require a CopyMinder instance to be installed. These older licenses have been phased out over time.*
**Where is it normally installed?**
Ordinarily, CopyMinder is installed on a server such that all computers within the network can access CopyMinder. This is important for those computers hosting software that rely on CopyMinder for licensing such as LeaseControl.
For those computers that operate outside of the network CopyMinder may be installed on a desktop or laptop. This is commonplace for laptops and tablets.
*LogChief: CopyMinder is ordinarily installed on the tablet hosting the LogChief software.*
**Checking to see if it's installed**
From the relevant computer (check your server, as well your desktop or laptop if you are having trouble locating it) open your local Services list and see if you can find the CopyMinder service (it will be named **CMServer_IL**).
If it isn't installed, yes you install another instance however you may require a new License Key for your software. This is dependent on whether or not the original CopyMinder instance was uninstalled correctly. New License Keys may attract fees and charges dependent on the situation and status of the pre-existing License Keys - contact [servicedesk@maxgeo.com](mailto:support@maxgeo.com) for discussion.
**How many installs of CopyMinder can I have?**
Although you can install multiple instances of CopyMinder on a computer (whether it be a server, desktop, laptop or tablet) due to the manner in which the software finds CopyMinder, you are only able to have 1 CopyMinder per IP address (which means, in normal circumstances, 1 CopyMinder per server or desktop, laptop or tablet dependent upon your setup).
If you use multiple Maxwell GeoServices software (e.g. DataShed and LeaseControl) you can use a single install of CopyMinder to handle both the DataShed license key and a LeaseControl license key. However, each CopyMinder instance can only handle 1 license key per software (e.g. you can't enter 2 LeaseControl license keys into a single instance of CopyMinder).
- **LeaseControl**: You will ordinarily have 1 CopyMinder install per administration licence. Some clients will have a second install to handle the browser licence, however this will be on a separate IP address.
- **LogChief**: You will ordinarily have 1 CopyMinder install per LogChief install and both are ordinarily located on the same tablet.