Abstract: The present invention relates to an information managing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which unauthorized use of content can be prevented. A ripping module 91 of a client 1 retrieves the content recorded on a CD 81. In the client 1, a content ID for identifying the content and a unique ID unique to the client 1 are generated, and these IDs are added to the content retrieved by the ripping module 91. A usage right containing the usage conditions of the content, etc., is generated and saved. The usage right includes information indicating that an apparatus (client) having the same ID to the unique ID added to the content is only allowed to play back the content. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a recording medium, and a program for importing and exporting a content with information missing controlled. A CPU extracts a sound track contained in the content in step S301, and converts a format of the extracted sound track into a format compatible with a memory stick in step S302. The CPU generates a predetermined file from data contained in the content and excluding the sound track in step S304. In step S306, the CPU attaches reference information of the sound track to the file. In step S307, the CPU controls the writing of the sound track in the converted format and the file to the memory stick. The present invention is applied to clients of a DRM system.

Abstract: This invention relates to provide a communication network system, a gateway, and a data communication method, in which the gateway has an advanced functionality. A person who issues an access request can retrieve a desired access destination easily by the following configuration: functions of routing information providing and authentication processing are added to a gateway that performs protocol conversion between two different communication networks; when an access request is issued from a public communication network such as Internet to a terminal in a local (private) communication network connected to the gateway, a request terminal is authenticated to enable prevention of unauthorized data writing and reading; and an access request user who succeeded in the authentication is provided with an active terminal list comprising accessible terminal information, or with a user condition table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information managing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which unauthorized use of content can be prevented. A ripping module 91 of a client 1 retrieves the content recorded on a CD 81. In the client 1, a content ID for identifying the content and a unique ID unique to the client 1 are generated, and these IDs are added to the content retrieved by the ripping module 91. A usage right containing the usage conditions of the content, etc., is generated and saved. The usage right includes information indicating that an apparatus (client) having the same ID to the unique ID added to the content is only allowed to play back the content. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

Abstract: This invention relates to provide a communication network system, a gateway, and a data communication method, in which the gateway has an advanced functionality. A person who issues an access request can retrieve a desired access destination easily by the following configuration: functions of routing information providing and authentication processing are added to a gateway that performs protocol conversion between two different communication networks; when an access request is issued from a public communication network such as Internet to a terminal in a local (private) communication network connected to the gateway, a request terminal is authenticated to enable prevention of unauthorized data writing and reading; and an access request user who succeeded in the authentication is provided with an active terminal list comprising accessible terminal information, or with a user condition table.

Abstract: In a communication system and an information controller terminal equipment of a user, that is to say, a receiver of information is specified in a server side. And in a network system, a terminal equipment and a network server a position of a user is specified in a server side. The information of a terminal equipment used by the user among the pieces of terminal equipment 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 53, 54 and 70 connected to a network 10 is registered in prescribed registering means 20 and a transmission path from the terminal equipment 70 of a transmitter to the terminal equipment 53 of a receiver is determined on the basis of the registered information of the terminal equipment, so that the user can assuredly transmit the information to the terminal equipment of the receiver in the transmission path suitable for the information without any consciousness of the user.

Abstract: A method for monitoring time so that the use of protected content can be controlled includes receiving a trusted time value from a trusted authority external to a client device. When the client is no longer in communication with the trusted authority, the previously-received trusted time value is updated by use of the client's operating system counter so that a calculated trusted time value is derived for content license evaluation purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to provide a communication network system, a gateway, and a data communication method, in which the gateway has an advanced functionality. A person who issues an access request can retrieve a desired access destination easily by the following configuration: functions of routing information providing and authentication processing are added to a gateway that performs protocol conversion between two different communication networks; when an access request is issued from a public communication network such as Internet to a terminal in a local (private) communication network connected to the gateway, a request terminal is authenticated to enable prevention of unauthorized data writing and reading; and an access request user who succeeded in the authentication is provided with an active terminal list comprising accessible terminal information, or with a user condition table.

Abstract: Methods and systems of distributing digital content governed by a digital license are provided. In one aspect, the license has identification data for licensed content and is transmitted to a client device. A first item of content is transmitted to the client after receipt by the client of the license. The first item of content has first content identification data, and at least a portion of the first item of content is in encrypted form. A second item of content is transmitted to the client after receipt by the client of the license. The second item of content has second content identification data that is different from the first content identification data. At least a portion of the second item of content is in encrypted form. The encrypted portion of the first item of content is decrypted if the first content identification data corresponds to the identification data for licensed content.

Abstract: A data processing circuit and method which can process content data in an enhanced efficiency is disclosed. A right information processing section produces, based on utilization right information which indicates a utilization right of content data, key data to be used for a data process of the content data and adds a use object of the key data for utilizing the content data to the produced key data to produce processing use information. A temporary storage section temporarily stores the processing use information. A data processing section compares control information supplied from the outside and the use object included in the processing use information temporarily stored in the temporary storage section and performs, in response to a result of the comparison, a data process for the content data using the key data included in the processing use information.

Abstract: This invention relates to provide a communication network system, a gateway, and a data communication method, in which the gateway has an advanced functionality. A person who issues an access request can retrieve a desired access destination easily by the following configuration: functions of routing information providing and authentication processing are added to a gateway that performs protocol conversion between two different communication networks; when an access request is issued from a public communication network such as Internet to a terminal in a local (private) communication network connected to the gateway, a request terminal is authenticated to enable prevention of unauthorized data writing and reading; and an access request user who succeeded in the authentication is provided with an active terminal list comprising accessible terminal information, or with a user condition table.

Abstract: A license evaluation apparatus and method is disclosed which can specify the substance and the position of an error only with a simple description without the necessity to analyze the error in an ex post fact fashion. A data storage section stores licenses, and a content selection section selects a content. A license extraction section extracts the license from within the data storage section. A conditional expression decision section reads a conditional expression in use condition information of the license and an error code annexed in advance to the conditional expression and deciding whether or not the conditional expression is satisfied. If the conditional expression is not satisfied, an error code retaining section retains the error code. An application to which the error code is returned can specify the error without analyzing the error in an ex post fact fashion.

Abstract: A content reproduction apparatus and method is disclosed which can manage a use state for each one, two or more tracks included in a content and perform prescribed updating irrespective of the number of tracks reproduced in an overlapping relationship, with the following configuration. The content reproduction apparatus includes: a track selection section operable in response to a reproduction request of a content for selecting a track or tracks; a status ID reading section reads a status ID from the selected track; a license extraction section extracts a license corresponding to the status ID; a status information extraction section extracts, when the extracted license includes a use limitation condition, the status information corresponding to the status ID; and a license decision section decides whether or not the use state of the status information satisfies the use limitation condition of the license.

Abstract: A content sharing system is disclosed that can efficiently execute copyright management and can promote the degree of freedom and convenience in sharing of content within a legal range of private utilization. A group management server places a plurality of content processing apparatuses in terms of a unit of an owner into a group registration and issues a notification of a group ID of the group. A content recording apparatus adds a recorder ID thereof to production content produced thereby. Further, a content reproduction apparatus controls reproduction of content based on a recorder ID read out from content and a reproduction permission ID list. If the different processing apparatuses have the same group ID, the recorder ID can be added to the reproduction permission ID list.

Abstract: A terminal control apparatus 1 for causing various terminal devices to perform appropriate operations. The terminal control apparatus comprises a communication section 11, a control section 12, and a data-storing section 13. The communication section 11 accomplishes communication with a terminal device 2. The control section 12 controls the terminal device 2. The terminal device 3 comprises a communication section 21, a control section 22, and a terminal section 23. The communication section 21 achieves communication with the terminal control apparatus 1. The control section 22 transmits terminal information to the terminal control apparatus 1. The terminal information represents the type and capacity of the terminal device 2. The terminal control apparatus 1 performs terminal control functions in accordance with the terminal information. The control section 22 controls the terminal section 23 in accordance with the terminal control functions the apparatus 1 has performed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the distribution of digital content are provided. A license holder acquires protected content and an original digital license to the protected content from a content provider system. The license holder in turn delegates all or part of the grants in that original license to other qualified devices or clients. The content remains in its original, protected or encrypted form while it is delivered from the license holder to the client along with a digital sublicense that the client receives from the original license holder, whereupon the content can then be rendered. The original digital license defines or governs the conditions under which such delegation occurs, and includes terms under which such delegation is permitted to continue in order to enforce the intent of the content provider.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a program storage medium, and a program for distributing usage rights for individual smaller details without placing a burden on a client. A usage right held by a content holder server 6 is provided to a license server 4. The license server 4 divides the usage right provided by the content holder server 6 into, for example, a playback-only usage right and a playback-and-checkout usage right. A client 1 pays 10 yen to obtain the playback usage right. The client 1 pays additional 30 yen to obtain the playback-and-checkout usage right. In other words, the playback-only usage right is upgraded to the playback-and-checkout usage right. The present invention is applicable to a server for providing content via a network.

Abstract: A content sharing system is disclosed that can efficiently execute copyright management for limiting illegal utilization of content, and can promote the degree of freedom in utilization of content within a legal range of private utilization. In the content sharing system, a content processing apparatus on the content providing side includes a source ID addition section for adding, to the content data, a source ID for specifying a providing source of content data. Meanwhile, another content processing apparatus on the content acquiring side includes a content rendering section having a rendering permission ID list including source IDs, added to content data whose rendering is permitted, for limiting, based on the source ID added to the acquired content data and the rendering permission ID list, rendering of acquired content data rendering. The content sharing system further includes a list management section for permitting updating of the rendering permission ID list.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information managing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which unauthorized use of content can be prevented. A ripping module 91 of a client 1 retrieves the content recorded on a CD 81. In the client 1, a content ID for identifying the content and a unique ID unique to the client 1 are generated, and these IDs are added to the content retrieved by the ripping module 91. A usage right containing the usage conditions of the content, etc., is generated and saved. The usage right includes information indicating that an apparatus (client) having the same ID to the unique ID added to the content is only allowed to play back the content. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which usage status information necessary to use content can be managed on a service-by-service basis. The usage status information is stored in a management area for a service node in association with a content ID (CID) and a usage-right ID for management. Accordingly, since the usage status information is managed on a service-by-service basis, even if a piece of usage status information is broken or tampered with, the effects thereof can be blocked within one management area. In other words, the content whose usage status information is stored in a management area in which usage status information which is tampered with is stored cannot be used; however, the content whose usage status information is stored in other management areas can be used without difficulty. The present invention is applicable to a personal computer.