Information processing apparatus and printing authority management system

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface that is communicable with a printing device configured to form an image on a printing medium via a network;
• and
• a control device configured to:
• receive an obtainment application of paid authority information, the paid authority information guaranteeing a paid guaranteed printing amount by a purchasing user;
• whenever the obtainment application of the paid authority information is received, add a value of the paid guaranteed printing amount relating to the paid authority information to a value of an allowable printing amount for the printing device;
• perform a first authorization process comprising associating free authority information with identification information of the printing device, the free authority information guaranteeing a free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing amount;
• receive a first utilization application, the first utilization application comprising a utilization application of the free authority information associated with the identification information of the printing device;
• and
• based on receiving the first utilization application, add a value of a utilized printing amount to the value of the allowable printing amount, the utilized printing amount being within the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authority information associated with the identification information of the printing device.