A method for using digital contents is provided. In the method, a request
is made to a provider apparatus for a certificate containing a first
provider ID embedded therein by a certification authority, and the
certificate is received from the provider apparatus. A decision is made
by using the certificate as to whether or not the provider is authorized
by the certification authority. A request is made to the provider
apparatus for a digital content having a second provider ID embedded
therein by a contents guarantee authority when the provider is authorized
by the certification authority, and the digital content is received from
the provider. The first provider ID is read from the certificate, the
digital content is correlated with the second provider ID, and the
digital content is stored in a storage medium. The second provider ID is
detected from the digital content in response to a request to use the
digital content. The first provider ID is compared with the second
provider ID when the second provider ID is detected. The digital content
is used when the first provider ID and the second provider ID match. The
use of the digital content is restricted when the first provider ID and
the second provider ID do no match.