(19)
(11) EP 1 139 198 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
27.02.2002 Bulletin 2002/09

(43) Date of publication:
04.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/40

(21) Application number: 01108153.6

(22) Date of filing: 30.03.2001
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 1/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 31.03.2000 JP 2000096883

(71) Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Kishi, Haruhiko, Sony Corporation
    Tokyo (JP)
  • Kurihara, Akira, Sony Corporation
    Tokyo (JP)

(74) Representative: Melzer, Wolfgang, Dipl.-Ing. et al
Patentanwälte Mitscherlich & Partner, Sonnenstrasse 33
80331 München
80331 München (DE)

   


(54) Method and apparatus for digital data distribution


(57) The present invention is intended to prevent sold digital information from being used in a non-compliant manner. Digital information accumulation capability 212 accumulates digital information 6 to be sold. License generating capability 227 generates the usage conditions for digital information 6. Encryption capability 229 encrypts digital information 6. Digital information key generating capability 228 generates a cryptographic key for decrypting encrypted digital information 6. Authentication capability 214 authenticates recording medium with license management capability 102-1 loaded in digital information vending apparatus 101. Licensed digital information writing capability 230 writes encrypted digital information and its usage conditions and cryptographic key onto authenticated recording medium with license management capability 102-1.