The content utilizing method includes the steps of encrypting the
encrypted requested content with a predetermined encrypting key and
transmitted to a content processing apparatus, generating and
transmitting license control information including usage right
information having identification information, and condition of use of
the selected content and user specific information together with a
decrypting key corresponding to the encrypting key to a usage right
control server controlling the usage right of the content. If the
utilizing authorization of the content is verified, the usage right
information and the decrypting key are transmitted from the authorizing
server to the content processing apparatus, and the content is decrypted
by the decrypting key in the content processing apparatus and the
decrypted content is processed based on the usage right information. In
this manner an arbitrary content distribution is enabled to protect the
content by a copyright protection without requiring a special recording
media.