Information distribution method, information distribution system and information distribution apparatus

An information distribution system having a recording and/or reading apparatus for recording and reading information in a recording medium, and an information distribution apparatus including a first database comprising contents to be distributed to the authenticated recording and/or recording apparatus, and a second database comprising a list of registered ID information, wherein said information distribution apparatus:

• decides whether information distribution is permitted or refused to said recording and/or reading apparatus based on said ID information read out from said recording medium installed on said recording and/or reading apparatus and said ID information in said second database, and transmits said contents stored in said first database to said recording and/or reading apparatus based on said decision, the system comprising:
• reading controller for controlling said recording and/or reading apparatus so that said recording and/or reading apparatus reads out said ID information from said read-only area of said recording medium installed in said recording and/or reading apparatus when an information distribution request is sent from said recording and/or reading apparatus to said information distribution apparatus;
• and
• recording controller for controlling said recording and/or reading apparatus so that said distributed contents are recorded in said recording and/or reading area of said recording medium from which said ID information is read, if said ID information corresponds to the one requested for said first database.

An information distribution apparatus connected so as to communicate with a recording and/or reading apparatus on which a recording medium is installed, said information distribution apparatus comprising:

• a first database containing distribution information;
• a second database containing ID information of said recording medium;
• reading controller for controlling said recording and/or reading apparatus, wherein said ID information is read out from said read-only area of said recording medium installed in said recording and/or reading apparatus if an information distribution request is sent from said recording and/or reading apparatus;
• distribution controller for deciding whether permitting or refusing information distribution to said recording and/or reading apparatus based on said ID information read out from said recording/reading apparatus and ID information in said second database, and for reading distribution information from said first database based on said deciding;
• and
• recording controller for controlling said recording and/or reading apparatus, wherein said distribution information read-out from said first database is recorded in a recording and/or reading area of said recording medium from which the ID information is read out.