Patent ID: 8285644
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An image processing apparatus comprising: an original reading unit configured to read an original; a rights information acquisition unit configured to acquire rights information concerning the original based on information embedded in the original; a determination unit configured to determine, based on the rights information, whether or not a user is authorized to output and modify the original; a document file acquisition unit configured to acquire 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; a judgment unit configured to judge whether or not the original has been modified by performing a comparison between the acquired document file and image data of the original; and a control unit configured to allow 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, but to restrict 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.