1. A method performed by a first computer system for gaining access to a piece of content, the method comprising: sending a request to a second computer system communicatively coupled to the first computer system in a networked environment, the request seeking permission to access the piece of content; initiating execution of an acknowledgement-monitoring process at the first computer system, the acknowledgement-monitoring processing being configured to: detect a second acknowledgement from the second computer system, the second acknowledgement indicating that the second computer system received a first acknowledgement from the first computer system; and send a third acknowledgment to the second computer system if the second acknowledgement is not received by the first computer system within a defined time period; receiving a status indicator from the second computer system, the status indicator including an indication that the request has been granted; granting access to the piece of content to the first computer system; sending the first acknowledgment to the second computer system, the first acknowledgement indicating that the access to the piece of content was successfully granted to the first computer system; receiving the second acknowledgement from the second computer system; and terminating execution of the acknowledgement-monitoring process.