Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium

A control method for an image processing apparatus, the control method comprising:

• using a processor to perform the steps of:
• reading an original;
• acquiring rights information concerning the original based on information embedded in the original;
• determining, based on the rights information, whether or not a user is authorized to output and modify the original;
• acquiring a document file associated with the original based on the information embedded in the original, when it is determined that the user is authorized to output the original, but not authorized to modify the original;
• judging whether or not the original has been modified by performing a comparison between the acquired document file and image data of the original;
• and
• performing control by allowing original image data to be generated based on the original when it is judged that the original has been modified and the rights information indicates that the original is allowed to be modified, and restricting original image data from being generated based on the original when it is judged that the original has been modified and the rights information indicates that the original is not allowed to be modified.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an image processing apparatus, wherein the control method comprises:

• reading an original;
• acquiring rights information concerning the original based on information embedded in the original;
• determining, based on the rights information, whether or not a user is authorized to output and modify the original;
• acquiring a document file associated with the original based on the information embedded in the original, when it is determined that the user is authorized to output the original, but not authorized to modify the original;
• judging whether or not the original has been modified by performing a comparison between the acquired document file and image data of the original;
• and
• performing control by allowing original image data to be generated based on the original when it is judged that the original has been modified and the rights information indicates that the original is allowed to be modified, and restricting original image data from being generated based on the original when it is judged that the original has been modified and the rights information indicates that the original is not allowed to be modified.