Content usage rule management system

A user terminal that provides a content utilization for users based on utilization permission data received from a content usage rule management device which is a portable phone having a copyright management function, the user terminal comprising:

• a utilization unit configured to receive, from users, a utilization request indicating a desired content utilization;
• and
• an interface unit configured to send, via a wireless communication, the utilization request received by the utilization unit to the content usage rule management device,
• wherein the utilization unit is configured to provide the content utilization based on the utilization permission data obtained.

A content usage rule management device included in a content usage rule management system, comprising:

• a user terminal configured to provide a content utilization for users;
• a server configured to distribute a content usage rule for permitting a content utilization with the user terminal, to a content usage rule management device which requests the content usage rule;
• and
• the content usage rule management device is configured to store the content usage rule and manages the content utilization,
• wherein the user terminal includes:
• a utilization unit configured to receive, from users, a utilization request indicating a desired content utilization;
• and
• an interface unit configured to send, via a wireless communication, the utilization request received by the utilization unit to the content usage rule management device,
• the content usage rule management device, which is a portable-phone, includes:
• a utilization rule receiving unit configured to receive the content usage rule from the server;
• a copyright data storage management unit configured to store and manage the content usage rule received from the server;
• a receiving unit configured to receive, via a wireless communication, the utilization request sent by the user terminal;
• a searching unit configured to search the copyright data storage management unit for the content usage rule corresponding to the utilization request received by the receiving unit;
• a copyright data processing unit configured to judge, based on the content usage rule searched for by the searching unit, whether or not the content utilization is permitted for the user terminal, and create utilization permission data based on a judged result;
• and
• a sending unit configured to send the created utilization permission data to the user terminal via a wireless communication, and
• a fee for the content utilization by the user terminal is charged together with a fee for utilization of the portable phone.

A content usage rule management method performed by a content usage rule management system including a user terminal that provides a content utilization for users, a server that distributes a content usage rule for permitting a content utilization with the user terminal, to a content usage rule management device which requests the content usage rule, and a content usage rule management device that stores the content usage rule and manages the content utilization, the content usage rule management method comprising:

• (i) in the user terminal:
• receiving, from users, a utilization request indicating a desired content utilization;
• and
• sending, via a wireless communication, the utilization request received in the receiving to the content usage rule management device, and
• (ii) in the content usage rule management device which is a portable phone including a copyright data storage management unit configured to store and manage the content usage rule received from the server:
• receiving the content usage rule from the server;
• receiving, via a wireless communication, the utilization request sent by the user terminal;
• searching the copyright data storage management unit for the content on usage rule corresponding to the utilization request received in the receiving of the utilization request;
• judging, based on the content usage rule searched for in the searching step, whether or not the content utilization is permitted for the user terminal, and creating utilization permission data based on a judged result;
• and
• sending the created utilization permission data to the user terminal via a wireless communication,
• wherein a fee for the content utilization by the user terminal is charged together with a fee for utilization of the portable phone.