Patent ID: 6647495
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An information processing apparatus which performs a process for executing a program, comprising:first key decoding means for decoding using a second key an encrypted version of a first key and producing a decoded first key; second key decoding means for decoding using the decoded first key an encrypted version of a third key provided by a software developer and producing a decoded third key, wherein the program was encrypted by the software developer using the decoded third key into an encrypted version of the program; program decoding means for decoding the encrypted version of the program using the decoded third key obtained from the second key decoding means, wherein the program is certified by a program certifying authority as being licensed to execute in a predetermined program execution environment by having the program certifying authority produce the second key and the encrypted version of the first key; and executing means for executing a decoded program output from the program decoding means, wherein the third key is a common key used for encrypting the program according to a first encryption scheme, the second key is a publicized key corresponding to a secret key used for encrypting the first key according to a second encryption scheme, and the first key is a publicized key corresponding to a secret key used for encrypting the third key according to the second encryption scheme.