An electronic information name of electronic information prepared by attaching a version number of the electronic information with a unique appellation of the electronic information is distributed to users of electronic information. Based on this electronic information name, accesses to the electronic information are conducted. There is further provided a table for holding the version number of the electronic information, and the version number held in the table is changed such as by a locking request, a locking release request for the electronic information. Upon an access request to the electronic information, the version number included in the electronic information name is compared with the version number held in the table, so as to judge whether or not the access to the electronic information is to be permitted, to thereby conduct an exclusive access control of the electronic information.