A system that controls access to program assets, such as software programs or modules, is described. During operation, this system associates a first license code with a first group of program assets and associates a first master code with the first license code, where the first group of program assets includes one or more program assets associated with a first provider, and the first license code identifies the first master code. Then, the system provides the first license code, the first master code, and a pre-defined function to the first provider, and hosts the first group of program assets on a website. Note that the first master code and the pre-defined function allow the first provider to generate a first validation code for a customer. Moreover, the first validation code and the first license code, at least in part, allow the customer to access the first group of program assets hosted on the website, thereby facilitating independent marketing of the first group of program assets by the first provider.