Method and system for preventing illegal use of digital contents, processing program thereof, and recording medium for the program

Abstract

In a method of preventing an illegal use of digital contents, a status information for controlling the replay processing of the digital contents is set in the digital contents. The replay processing of the digital contents is controlled in accordance with a value of the status information thus set. Thereby, a technique can be provided which is capable of preventing the illegal use of the digital contents within the various types of shopping centers and retail outlets.

1 . A method of preventing an illegal use of digital contents, comprising the steps of: 
 setting a status information for controlling a replay processing of digital contents, in said digital contents; and    controlling the replay processing of said digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status information.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing an invalidated version of digital contents with said status information which is set to a value for totally prohibiting the replay processing.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    permitting a processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    permitting a processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said step of setting said status information sets said status information to a value for permitting said replay processing by a specific user to generate a validated version of digital contents; and    said step of controlling said replay processing enables said specific user to perform said replay processing when said status information set in said validated version of digital contents indicates said value for permitting said replay processing by said specific user.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of storing said invalidated version of digital contents said status information of which is set to a value for totally prohibiting said replay processing.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: 
 setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    permitting a processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: 
 setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    permitting a processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.    
     
     
         9 . A system for preventing an illegal use of digital contents, comprising: 
 a contents status control processing unit for setting a status information for controlling a replay processing of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    a replay processing unit for controlling said replay processing of said digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status information.    
     
     
         10 . A medium for recording a program for enabling a computer to function as a system for preventing an illegal use of digital contents, wherein 
 said medium records a program for enabling a computer to function as a contents status control processing unit for setting a status information for controlling a replay processing of said digital contents, in said digital contents, and a replay processing unit for controlling said replay processing of said digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status information.    
     
     
         11 . A program for preventing an illegal use of digital contents, comprising the steps of: 
 setting a status information for controlling a replay processing of said digital contents, in said digital contents; and    controlling said replay processing of said digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status information.