A method of and an apparatus for online modification/update of a database using a recordable optical disc. A user apparatus having a version of a database and an update date and time stored on the recordable optical disc communicates with a server which stores information for updating the database and an update date and time. A comparison of the respective dates and times is made and the server transmits updated information to the user apparatus based on the comparison. In one embodiment, the user apparatus transmits the update date and time stored on the recordable optical disc, the server makes the comparison and transmits the modified/updated information based on the comparison. In another embodiment, the user apparatus acquires the update date and time stored on the server, makes the comparison and acquires modified/updated information from the server based on the comparison.