Patent ID: 8437049
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first determination unit configured to make a determination as to copy restriction of a copy target image based on a two-dimensional code which is contained in the copy target image generated from a print product and into which information that a user cannot recognize as content in the print product is embedded; a second determination unit configured to make a determination as to copy restriction of the copy target image based on copy restricting information that is contained in the copy target image and that the user can recognize as content in the print product; a deciding unit configured to decide that a determination result by the second determination unit is referred to in a case where the first determination unit determines that the two-dimensional code is not contained in the copy target image, that copying of the copy target image is permitted in a case where the second determination unit determines that the copying of the copy target image is permitted, and that the copying of the copy target image is prohibited in a case where the second determination unit determines that the copying of the copy target image is prohibited; and an output unit configured to output the copy target image in a case where the deciding unit decides that the copying of the copy target image is permitted.