Media contents distribution system and method

A method used by a terminal for receiving a content, an execution program, and a usage rule for the content, from a server, via a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a content, an execution program, and a usage rule for the content, from a server, via a communication network;
• storing the content, the execution program, and the usage rule which are received by the receiving step;
• controlling, at a time of using the content, permitting use of the content within bounds of the usage rule;
• and
• executing the execution program stored in the storing step and processing the content stored in the storing step,
• wherein the usage rule is incorporated in the execution program,
• wherein whether or not use of the content is permitted is determined by executing a module included in the execution program in the controlling step, and
• wherein, upon acceptance of a request for using the content received by the receiving step, the execution program processes the content only when use of the content is permitted in the controlling step.

A contents distribution system for distributing a content via a communication network, the contents distribution system comprising:

• a server;
• and
• a terminal,
• wherein the server comprises:
• a server-side storage unit operable to store an execution program for processing at least the content;
• and
• a transmission unit operable to transmit, to the terminal, the content, the execution program, and a usage rule for the content,
• wherein the terminal comprises:
• a reception unit operable to receive the content, the execution program, and the usage rule from the server;
• a terminal-side storage unit operable to store the content, the execution program, and the usage rule which are received by the reception unit;
• a control unit operable to, at a time of using the content, permit use of the content within bounds of the usage rule;
• and
• a processing unit operable to execute the execution program stored in the terminal-side storage unit to process the content stored in the terminal-side storage unit,
• wherein the usage rule is incorporated in the execution program,
• wherein the control unit determines whether or not use of the content is permitted, by executing a module included in the execution program, and
• wherein the execution program checks with the control unit whether or not use of the content is permitted, when a request for using the content received by the reception unit is accepted, and processes the content only when use of the content is permitted.