A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol that enables promulgation of licensing rights controlling Intellectual Property (IP) to multiple Actors. The Actors include components of a cable system that can include a Conditional Access System, Middleware, a Browser for a Set-Top-Box, a Guide and a Guide Data Provider. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes a Challenge issued by one Actor who controls IP rights to verify a second Actor has Licensed IP rights when the second Actor Response includes a Hook IP function IPF1. Other Actors who wish to use software functions F that the first Actor provides will be encouraged to acquire rights to the IP License to obtain the function IPF1 for access. Subsequent Actors who have IP rights controlled by another function IPF2 can be pulled into the same IP Licensing system, or another IP License that becomes part of the same ecosystem with the system controlled using function IPF1.