Method and apparatus for distributing a locked print job

A method for printing a locked print job by a printing device connected to a client terminal over a network, the method comprising:

• receiving, in the client terminal, a request to distribute the locked print job to one or more users, the request including information identifying the one or more users;
• generating, by the client terminal, the locked print job in response to the request;
• transmitting, by the client terminal, the locked print job and the information identifying the one or more users to the printing device over the network;
• receiving, in the printing device, the locked print job and the information identifying the one or more users transmitted by the client terminal;
• storing, in the printing device, the locked print job, the information identifying the one or more users, and authentication information, the authentication information being configured to unlock the locked print job when entered into the printing device;
• transmitting the authentication information to the one or more users;
• and
• outputting, by the printing device, the locked print job, when the authentication information is entered into the printing device.