Abstract:
A semiconductor memory card which allows consumers to access and purchase content while protecting the copyright of the content. The memory card has a unique media ID assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area. The secure are is accessible by an apparatus whose authenticity is verified, and the non-secure area is accessible by the apparatus regardless of such verification. The secure area stores a first encrypted content which is generated by encrypting a first content key by using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data and purchase data which can be decrypted. The trial data includes a first content which is encrypted by using the first content key, and the purchase data includes a second content which is encrypted by using a second content key. The purchase data can be decrypted when fee processing is performed.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/506,098 filed Feb. 17, 2000, now abandoned which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory card that protects the copyright to a content, and a recording apparatus, a recording and reproducing apparatus, and the sales method for the semiconductor memory card. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, distribution of pay contents on the Internet (in other words, the EC (Electronic Commerce)) has become increasingly popular and more and more pay contents are provided on the Internet. In the EC on the Internet generally, a consumer accesses a homepage set up by the information provider and searches for contents he/she likes. Once the consumer finds contents of his/her choice, the consumer sends to the information provider a user ID and a credit card number, along with a request for purchasing the contents. Then, the consumer can download the contents. 
     Since contents handled in the EC are digital data that hardly deteriorates, the contents can maintain high quality. Recent developments in compression technologies for digital data have also enabled distribution of various data (contents) such as music and video data via the Internet. MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group1 Audio Layer3) is one of the compression technologies for audio data. With MP3, music data on a CD can be compressed to one tenth of the original volume, with almost no deterioration in the quality. A user can obtain a free MP3 encoder and decoder for PC on the Internet. A user can create MP3 format data by encoding music data on a CD, and redistribute the music data via a network. Accordingly, it has become difficult to protect the copyright to music data against such uses. 
     Taking this problem seriously, the music industry has created an organization called SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) to establish a system by which copyright can be protected in distribution of music data via the network. According to the SDMI rules, once electronic music contents obtained via the Internet are stored in a recording medium, the contents should not be moved to another medium unless protection of their copyrights are guaranteed. 
     To achieve this goal, the SDMI has chosen a system in which a unique ID is given to each recording medium, and contents to be stored in a recording medium are encrypted using the ID unique to the recording medium. Accordingly, even if the encrypted contents are moved or copied to another recording medium, the contents cannot be reproduced because the ID used in encrypting the contents does not coincide with the ID of the recording medium. In this manner, copyright protection is guaranteed. 
     Now, there are audio players that correspond to the copyright protection system that utilizes IDs unique to recording media. 
     Such audio players are generally packaged with recording media and are sold to consumers. Conventionally, nothing is recorded in the recording media at the time of shipment. Therefore, before enjoying contents, a consumer who purchased an audio player has to obtain the contents via the Internet and store the contents in the recording medium. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the aforementioned situation, the first object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory card that allows a consumer to easily access the source of a content and try and purchase the content, while protecting the copyright to the content. The second object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording and reproducing apparatus for the semiconductor memory card. The third object of the present invention is to provide a sales method for the semiconductor memory card where shares of a profit are paid to companies, who record contents in recording media and sell the recording media, according to their contribution degrees. 
     The first object is achieved by a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted on a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content. The semiconductor memory card having this construction allows a consumer to speedily purchase a desired content without connecting a recording and reproducing apparatus to the Internet and downloading the desired content. 
     Here, the purchase data may further include a second encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting the second content key according to a predetermined method, the second encrypted content key being to be decrypted using a decryption key that is obtained from the outside of the semiconductor memory card on the condition that the fee processing has been performed. This construction protects the copyright to the second content included in the purchase data. 
     Here, the purchase data may further include encrypted management information, a part of the encrypted management information being the second encrypted content key and a remaining part of the encrypted management information including a vendor ID and a usage condition, the vendor ID being uniquely assigned to a card vendor that records the trial data and the purchase data in the semiconductor memory card, and the usage condition including a purchase price of the purchase data. This construction makes it possible to identify each card vendor that records contents in semiconductor memory cards and sells the semiconductor memory cards. This allows a share of a profit to be appropriately paid to each card vendor that contributes to the promotion of contents for purchase by recording popular contents for promotion. 
     Here, the purchase data may further include encrypted management information, a part of the encrypted management information being the second encrypted content key and a remaining part of the encrypted management information including a usage condition concerning the purchase data, the usage condition including a numb er of check outs allowed and a reproduction allowance, each check out being a conversion of the purchase data into a format in which the purchase data is able to be decrypted according to the information in the semiconductor memory card, and the reproduction allowance showing whether an apparatus that performs purchase processing for the purchase data is allowed to reproduce the purchase data. This construction limits the recording and reproducing of the second content for purchase with a recording and reproducing apparatus, thereby protecting the copyright to the second content. 
     The second object of the present invention is achieved by a recording apparatus that records data in a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, the recording apparatus including: a content storage unit operable to store a plurality of contents; a content key generating unit operable to generate a plurality of content key used to encrypt the plurality of contents; a first encrypted content key generating unit operable to obtain the media ID from the semiconductor memory card and generate a first encrypted content key by encrypting a first content key, out of the plurality of content key, using the obtained media ID; a first recording unit operable to record the first encrypted content key in the secure data area; a first encryption unit operable to read a first content, out of the plurality of contents, from the content storage unit and generate a first encrypted content by encrypting the first content using the first content key; a second recording unit operable to record data including the first encrypted content in the non-secure data area as trial data; a second encrypted content key generating unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting a second content key, out of the plurality of content key; a second encryption unit operable to read a second content related to the first content from the content storage unit end generate a second encrypted content by encrypting the second content using the second content key; and a third recording unit operable to record data including the second encrypted content in the non-secure data area as purchase data. The recording apparatus having this construction makes it easy to produce a semiconductor memory card that allows a consumer to speedily purchase a desired content without connecting a recording and reproducing apparatus to the Internet and downloading the desired content. 
     Here, the data recorded by the third recording unit may include the second encrypted content key in addition to the second encrypted content. The recording apparatus having this construction records, in a semiconductor memory card, a content included in purchase data and a content included in trial data using different encryption methods. This achieves a semiconductor memory card that effectively protects copyrights to contents. 
     The second object of the present invention is also achieved by a recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces purchase data in a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted on a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content, where the recording and reproducing apparatus includes: a data reading unit operable to read the purchase data from the non-secure data area; a purchase data storage unit operable to store the read purchase data; a decrypted content generating unit operable to generate a decrypted content by decrypting the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data using a prestored decryption key; a reproducing unit operable to reproduce and output the decrypted content; a media ID reading unit operable to read a media ID from a secure data area of a destination semiconductor memory card; an encryption recording unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting a second decrypted content key using the read media ID and record the second encrypted content key in the secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card, the second decrypted content key being generated by decrypting the second content key using the prestored decryption key; and a content recording unit operable to record the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data in a non-secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card. The recording and reproducing apparatus having this construction allows a consumer to speedily record and reproduce a desired content without connecting the recording and reproducing apparatus to the Internet and downloading the desired content. 
     The second object of the present invention is further achieved by a recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces purchase data in a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted on a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content, where the purchase data further includes a second encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting the second content key according to a predetermined method, the second encrypted content key being to be decrypted using a decryption key that is obtained from the outside of the semiconductor memory card on the condition that the fee processing has been performed, where the recording and reproducing apparatus includes: a data reading unit operable to read the purchase data from the non-secure data area; a purchase data storage unit operable to store the read purchase data; a second decrypted content key generating unit operable to generate a second decrypted content key by decrypting the second encrypted content key included in the stored purchase data using a prestored decryption key; a decrypted content generating unit operable to generate a decrypted content by decrypting the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data using the second decrypted content key; a reproducing unit operable to reproduce and output the decrypted content; a media ID reading unit operable to read a media ID from a secure data area of a destination semiconductor memory card; an encryption recording unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting the second decrypted content key using the read media ID and record the second encrypted content key in the secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card; and a content recording unit operable to record the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data in a non-secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card. The recording and reproducing apparatus having this construction reproduces a content included in purchase data in a semiconductor memory card. The recording and reproducing apparatus also records the content into a destination semiconductor memory card so that the recorded content is able to be reproduced with a reproducing apparatus. 
     Here, the purchase data may further include encrypted management information, a part of the encrypted management information being the second encrypted content key and a remaining part of the encrypted management information including a usage condition concerning the purchase data, the usage condition including a number of check outs allowed and a reproduction allowance, each check out being a conversion of the purchase data into a format in which the purchase data is able to be decrypted according to the information in the semiconductor memory card, and the reproduction allowance showing whether an apparatus that performs purchase processing for the purchase data is allowed to reproduce the purchase data, where the recording and reproducing apparatus further includes: a usage condition storage unit operable to store a usage condition included in decrypted management information; a first judging unit operable to judge whether a user&#39;s instruction designates a reproduction or recording of the stored purchase data; a second judging unit operable to judge whether the stored usage condition shows that the reproduction is allowed, if the first judging unit has judged that the user&#39;s instruction designates the reproduction; a reproduction control unit operable to activate the decrypted content generating unit and the reproducing unit if the second judging unit has judged that the reproduction is allowed; a third judging unit operable to judge whether the recording is allowed by referring to the stored usage condition, if the first judging unit has judged that the user&#39;s instruction designates the recording; a recording control unit operable to activate the media ID reading unit, the encryption recording unit, and the content recording unit if the third judging unit has judged that the recording is allowed; and a displaying unit operable to display a message for the user if the second judging unit has judged that the reproduction is not allowed or if the third judging unit has judged that the recording is not allowed. The recording and reproducing apparatus having this construction records and reproduces the second content for purchase, while protecting the copyright to the second content. 
     Here, the third judging unit may judge that the recording is allowed if the number of check outs allowed, which is included in the stored usage condition, is at least one, the recording and reproducing apparatus may further include: an updating unit operable to decrement the included number of check outs allowed by one, after the content recording unit records the second encrypted content in the non-secure data area. With this construction, the number of times the second content can be recorded is limited to the number of check outs allowed included in the usage condition. This prevents the illegal copying of the second content. 
     The third object of the present invention is achieved by a sales method for a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted on a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content, where the purchase data further includes a second encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting the second content key according to a predetermined method, the second encrypted content key being to be decrypted using a decryption key that is obtained from the outside of the semiconductor memory card on the condition that the fee processing has been performed, where the purchase data further includes encrypted management information, a part of the encrypted management information being the second encrypted content key and a remaining part of the encrypted management information including a vendor ID and a usage condition, the vendor ID being uniquely assigned to a card vendor that records the trial data and the purchase data in the semiconductor memory card, and the usage condition including a purchase price of the purchase data, where via a public line network, a fee processing apparatus is connected to a recording and reproducing apparatus that includes: a data reading unit operable to read the purchase data from the non-secure data area; a purchase data storage unit operable to store the read purchase data; a second decrypted content key generating unit operable to generate a second decrypted content key by decrypting the second encrypted content key included in the stored purchase data using a prestored decryption key; a decrypted content generating unit operable to generate a decrypted content by decrypting the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data using the second decrypted content key; a reproducing unit operable to reproduce and output the decrypted content; a media ID reading unit operable to read a media ID from a secure data area of a destination semiconductor memory card; an encryption recording unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting the second decrypted content key using the read media ID and record the second encrypted content key in the secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card; and a content recording unit operable to record the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data in a non-secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card, where the sales method includes: a storing step where when reproducing or recording a content included in the purchase data for a first time, the recording and reproducing apparatus stores fee processing information that includes a purchase price for the content; a transmission step where the recording and reproducing apparatus transmits, to the fee processing apparatus, the fee processing information, a terminal ID prestored in the recording and reproducing apparatus, and a vendor ID; a calculating step where the fee processing apparatus calculates a contribution degree for each card vendor from a piece of the fee processing information that corresponds to a vendor ID assigned to the card vendor; and a determining step where the fee processing apparatus determines a share of a profit to be paid to the card vendor according to the calculated contribution degree. This method makes it possible to appropriately pay a share of a profit to each card vendor that contributes to the promotion of contents for purchase by recording popular contents for promotion in semiconductor memory cards. 
     The second object of the present invention is also achieved by a program applied to a recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces purchase data in a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted an a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content, where the purchase data further includes a second encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting the second content key according to a predetermined method, the second encrypted content key being to be decrypted using a decryption key that is obtained from the outside of the semiconductor memory card on the condition that the fee processing has been performed, where the program has the recording and reproducing apparatus achieve the following units: a data reading and storing unit operable to read the purchase data from the non-secure data area and store the read purchase data in a recording area; a second decrypted content key generating unit operable to generate a second decrypted content key by decrypting the second encrypted content key included in the stored purchase data using a prestored decryption key; a decrypted content generating unit operable to generate a decrypted content by decrypting the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data using the second decrypted content key; a reproducing unit operable to reproduce and output the decrypted content; a media ID reading unit operable to read a media ID from a secure data area of a destination semiconductor memory card; an encryption recording unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting the second decrypted content key using the read media ID and record the second encrypted content key in the secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card; and a content recording unit operable to record the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data in a non-secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card. This program achieves a recording and reproducing apparatus that records or reproduces a desired content stored in a semiconductor memory card. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to connect the recording and reproducing apparatus to the Internet and download the desired content. 
     The second object of the present invention is also achieved by a computer-readable recording medium applied to a recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces purchase data in a semiconductor memory card that prestores a media ID uniquely assigned thereto and includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, the secure data area being accessible by an apparatus if authenticity of the apparatus is verified, and the non-secure data area being accessible by the apparatus regardless of whether the authenticity is verified, where the secure data area stores a first encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting a first content key using the media ID, and the non-secure data area stores trial data, which is able to be decrypted by using information in the semiconductor memory card, and purchase data, which is able to be decrypted by using information both inside and outside of the semiconductor memory card, the trial data including a first encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a first content using the first content key, and the purchase data including a second encrypted content that is generated by encrypting a second content using a second content key and is to be decrypted on a condition that fee processing has been performed, the second content being related to the first content, where the purchase data further includes a second encrypted content key that is generated by encrypting the second content key according to a predetermined method, the second encrypted content key being to be decrypted using a decryption key that is obtained from the outside of the semiconductor memory card on the condition that the fee processing has been performed, where the computer-readable recording medium stores a program having the recording and reproducing apparatus achieve the following units: a data reading and storing unit operable to read the purchase data from the non-secure data area and store the read purchase data in a recording area; a second decrypted content key generating unit operable to generate a second decrypted content key by decrypting the second encrypted content key included in the stored purchase data using a prestored decryption key; a decrypted content generating unit operable to generate a decrypted content by decrypting the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data using the second decrypted content key; a reproducing unit operable to reproduce and output the decrypted content; a media ID reading unit operable to read a media ID from a secure data area of a destination semiconductor memory card; an encryption recording unit operable to generate a second encrypted content key by encrypting the second decrypted content key using the read media ID and record the second encrypted content key in the secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card; and a content recording unit operable to record the second encrypted content included in the stored purchase data in a non-secure data area of the destination semiconductor memory card. This recording medium achieves a recording and reproducing apparatus that records or reproduces a desired content stored in a semiconductor memory card. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to connect the recording and reproducing apparatus to the Internet and download the desired content. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows the outline of an embodiment of a semiconductor memory card that stores trial data and purchase data, and a recording apparatus, a PC player, and a sales method for the semiconductor memory card of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the internal construction of a semiconductor memory card of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows data stored in data areas of the semiconductor memory card shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows the data structure of trial data stored in the data area shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows an example of content information shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows an example of purchase data source information shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows the data structure of purchase data stored in the data area shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an example of content usage condition shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows the construction of a recording apparatus of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the operation of the recording apparatus; 
         FIG. 11  shows the construction of a portable player of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable player; 
         FIG. 13  shows the construction of a PC player of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  shows an example of the display screen that is displayed by a display unit of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  shows an example content of a right management DB stored in a secure storage of the PC player; 
         FIG. 16  shows an example of fee processing information transmitted from the PC player to a fee processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC player during the recording and reproduction of a content; 
         FIG. 18  shows the construction of the fee processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 19  shows an example content of a user DB in the fee processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 20  shows an example content of a fee DB in the fee processing apparatus; and 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart showing the operation of the fee processing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows the outline of an embodiment of a semiconductor memory card, and a recording apparatus, a PC player, and a sales method for the semiconductor memory card of the present invention. 
     A semiconductor memory card  101  stores trial data  103  and purchase data  105 . The trial data  103  includes purchase data source information  102  and the purchase data  105  includes a vendor ID  104 . 
     The trial data  103  and the purchase data  105  are stored in the semiconductor memory card  101  by a recording apparatus  107  at a card vendor  106  that is assigned the vendor ID  104 . 
     The trial data  103  includes a content for promotion and the purchase data  105  includes a content related to the trial data  103 . These contents (music data) are selected from a plurality of contents  109  owned by a contents provider  108 , such as a record company, that holds the copyrights to the contents. 
     The semiconductor memory card  101  is sold by the card vendor  106  to a consumer  110 . The consumer  110  tries the content included in the trial data  103  using a portable player  111  and purchases the contents included in the purchase data  105  using a PC player  112 . 
     During purchase processing, the PC player  112  sends various information, such as a terminal ID and the vendor ID, to a fee processing apparatus  114  located at a clearing house (a fee processing company)  113 . The fee processing apparatus  114  performs fee processing for the consumer and divides a profit into a share (hereinafter, the “content share”) to be paid to the contents provider  108  and a share (hereinafter, the “promotion share”) to be paid to the card vendor  106 . 
     The outline of the present embodiment has been described above. The following is a detailed description of the present embodiment. 
     First, the semiconductor memory card  101  is described below. 
       FIG. 2  shows the internal construction of the semiconductor memory card  101 . As shown in this drawing, the semiconductor memory card  101  has a construction where an I/F  201 , a control unit  202 , and a storage unit  203  are connected to each other via a bus  204 . The storage unit  203  is a flash ROM that includes a secure data area  205  and a data area  206 . Contents are written into and read from the storage unit  203  under the control of the control unit  202  according to instructions inputted from an external apparatus via the I/F  201 . It should be noted here that only authorized external apparatuses can write and read contents into and from the secure data  205 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the data content stored in each area of the storage unit. 
     The secure data area  205  in the storage unit  203  stores a media ID  300  unique to the semiconductor memory card  101  and a first content key  301  that has been encrypted using the media ID  300 . The media ID  300  has been stored in the secure data area  205  during the production of the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The data area  206  stores the trial data  103  and the purchase data  105 . AS described above, the trial data  103  includes the purchase data source information  102  and the purchase data  105  includes the vendor ID  104 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an example structure of the trial data  103 . As shown in this drawing, the trial data  103  has a data structure conforming to a SD (Secure Digital) audio standard and includes a content  401 , which is electronic audio data for promotion and has been encrypted using the first content key, content information  402 , and purchase data source information  403 . 
     The content  401  is electronic audio data generated according to a compression coding method, such as MP3, AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), or LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation), and has been encrypted using the first content key as an encryption key according to an encryption algorithm of a secret key cryptosystem, such as DES (Data Encryption Standard). 
     The content information  402  includes content identification information  501 , a content name  502 , and an artist name  503 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     The content identification information  501  is information for identifying the content  401 , such as ISRC (International Standard-Recording Code). The ISRC is ID information uniquely assigned to each song and includes a country code (two ASCII characters), recording year (two-digit number), and serial number (five-digit number). 
     The content name  502  and the artist name  503  are respectively a song name and the name of a singer or a musician, for instance. 
     The purchase data source information  403  gives a purchase data source address  601 , as shown in FIG.  6 . Here, the purchase data source address  601  gives an address in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . The purchase data  105  is stored in the data area  206  at a location specified by the address. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example data structure of the purchase data  105 . 
     As shown in this drawing, the purchase data  105  includes a content  701  that has been generated by encrypting a content related to the content  401  of the trial data  103  using the content key, content information  702  related to the content  701 , and right management information  703 . 
     In this embodiment, the content  701  included in the purchase data  105  is the same as that included in the trial data  103 . 
     Therefore, the content information  702  is the same as the content information  402  described above. 
     The right management information  703  includes content information  704 , a content usage condition  705 , a vendor ID  706 , and a second content key  707 . 
     The right management information  703  is encrypted according to an encryption algorithm of a public key cryptosystem, such as RSA, to prevent the manipulation of the right management information  703 . 
     The content information  704  is the same as the content information  702 . 
     The content usage condition  705  includes a price  801 , a number of Check Outs allowed  802 , and playable on PC player  803 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The price  801  shows the purchase price of the content  701 . The number of Check outs allowed  802  shows how many times a reproduction right can be transferred. The playable on PC player  903  shows whether it is allowed to reproduce the content  701  with the PC player  112 . 
     The vendor ID  706  is an identifier assigned to the card vendor of the semiconductor memory card  101 . The trial data  103  and the purchase data  105  are recorded by the card vendor in the semiconductor memory card  101  using the recording apparatus  107 . 
     The second content key  707  is a decryption key (an encryption key) for the encrypted content  701 . 
     The following is a description of the recording apparatus  107  for the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the construction of the recording apparatus  107  of the present embodiment. 
     As shown in this drawing, the recording apparatus  107  includes a data storage unit  901 , a content key generating unit  902 , a secure data area access unit  903 , a content key encryption key generating unit  904 , a content key encryption unit  905 , a right management information generating unit  906 , a data reading unit  907 , a content encryption nit  908 , a purchase data packager  909 , a data area access unit  910 , a trial data packager  911 , and the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The data storage unit  901  stores a plurality of contents  912  that are electronic music data generated according to a compression coding method, such as AAC, and purchase data source information  913 . 
     The content key generating unit  902  generates a content key that is an encryption key used to encrypt contents to be recorded in the semiconductor memory card  101  each time an operator inputs an instruction to record the trial data  103  or the purchase data  105  in the semiconductor memory card  101 . If the operator inputs an instruction to record the purchase data  105 , the content key generating unit  902  generates the second content key and sends the generated second content key to the right management information generating unit  906  and the content encryption unit  908 , and instructs the content encryption unit  908  to encrypt the purchase data  105 . If the operator inputs an instruction to record the trial data  103 , the content key generating unit  902  generates the first content key and sends the generated first content key to the content key encryption unit  905  and the content encryption unit  908 . In this case, the content key generating unit  902  instructs the secure data area access unit  903  via the content key encryption unit  905  to obtain the media ID  300  and instructs the content encryption unit  908  to encrypt the trial data  103 . 
     The secure data area access unit  903  accesses the secure data area  205  of the semiconductor memory card  101 , reads the media ID  300  from the secure data area  205 , and sends the read media ID  300  to the content key encryption key generating unit  904 . Also, the secure data area access unit  903  receives an encrypted first content key  301  from the content key encryption unit  905  and writes the encrypted first content key  301  in the secure data area  205 . 
     The content key encryption key generating unit  904  receives the media ID  300  from the secure data area access unit  903 , generates a content key encryption key from the media ID  300 , and sends the content key encryption key to the content key encryption unit  905 . 
     The content key encryption unit  905  encrypts the first content key sent from the content key generating unit  902  using the content key encryption key sent from the content key encryption key generating unit  904 . The content key encryption unit  905  then sends the encrypted first content key to the secure data area access unit  903 . 
     The right management information generating unit  906  obtains the right management information  703 , encrypts the right management information  703  according to an encryption algorithm of a public key cryptosystem, such as RSA, and sends the encrypted right management information  703  to the purchase data packager  909 . AS described above, the right management information  703  includes the content information  704 , the content usage condition  705  (see FIG.  8 ), the vendor ID  706 , and the second content key  707  sent from the content key generating unit  902 . 
     The data reading unit  907  reads a content specified by the operator from the data storage unit  901  and sends the content to the content encryption unit  908 . 
     The content encryption unit  908  encrypts the content sent from the data reading unit  907  using the first or second content key sent from the content key generating unit  902 . The content encryption unit  908  then sends the encrypted content to the purchase data packager  909  or the trial data packager  911 . Note that whether the encrypted content is sent to the purchase data packager  909  or the trial data packager  911  depends on the instruction sent from the content key generating unit  902 . 
     The purchase data packager  909  obtains the content information  702  in advance, and receives the encrypted right management information  703  and the encrypted content  701  from the right management information generating unit  906  and the content encryption unit  908 , respectively. The purchase data packager  909  then sends these information and content to the data area access unit  901  as the purchase data  105 . 
     The data area access unit  910  receives the purchase data  105  from the purchase data packager  909  and writes the received purchase data  105  in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . Also, the data area access unit  910  receives the trial data  103  from the trial data packager  911  and writes the trial data  103  in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The trial data packager  911  obtains the content information  402  and the purchase data source information  403  in advance, and receives the encrypted content  401  from the content encryption unit  908 . The trial data packager  911  then sends these information and content to the data area access unit  910  as the trial data  103 . 
     In this manner, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the encrypted first content key  301  is stored in the secure data area  205  and the trial data  103  and the purchase data  105  are stored in the data area  206 . 
     It should be noted here that in this embodiment, because the purchase data  105  is stored in the data area  206  of the storage unit  203  of the semiconductor memory card  101 , the purchase data source information  403  gives an address in the data area  206  as the purchase data source address  601 . If a content is purchased via a network (such as the Internet), however, the purchase data source information  913  may be read from the data storage unit  901  by the data reading unit  907  and the read purchase data source information may be included in the trial data  103 . 
     The operation of the recording apparatus  107  is described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Each of the content key generating unit  902  and the data reading unit  907  receives an operator&#39;s instruction to record the trial data or purchase data concerning a specific content into the semiconductor memory card  101  (S 1002 ). 
     The content key generating unit  902  generates the first or second content key (S 1004 ). The content key generating unit  902  then judges whether the trial data  103  should be recorded (S 1006 ). If the judgment result is affirmative, the content key generating unit  902  instructs the secure data area access unit  903  to obtain the media ID  300 . 
     The secure data area access unit  903  reads the media ID  300  from the secure data area  205  (S 1008 ). 
     The content key encryption key generating unit  904  generates a content key encryption key from the media ID  300  (S 1010 ). 
     The content key encryption unit  905  encrypts the first content key using the content key encryption key (S 1012 ). 
     The secure data area access unit  903  records the encrypted content key  301  into the secure data area  205  (S 1014 ). 
     Then the data reading unit  907  reads the specific content, out of the plurality of contents  912 , from the data storage unit  901  and sends the read content to the content encryption unit  908  (S 1016 ). 
     The content encryption unit  908  encrypts the content sent from the data reading unit  907  using the first content key and sends the encrypted content to the trial data packager  911  (S 1018 ). 
     The trial data packager  911  sends the content information and purchase data source information that are obtained in advance with the encrypted content to the data area access unit  910  as the trial data  103  (S 1022 ). 
     The data area access unit  910  records the trial data  103  into the data area  206  (S 1024 ). 
     If the judgment result in S 1006  is negative, the right management information generating unit  906  encrypts the right management information including the vendor ID and sends the encrypted right management information to the purchase data packager  909  (S 1026 ). 
     The data reading unit  907  reads the specific content and sends the read content to the content encryption unit  908  (S 1028 ). 
     The content encryption unit  908  encrypts the content sent from the data reading unit  907  using the second content key (S 1030 ). 
     The purchase data packager  909  obtains content information in advance and receives the encrypted right management information and the encrypted content from the right management information generating unit  906  and the content encryption unit  908 , respectively. The purchase data packager  909  then sends these information and content to the data area access unit  910  as the purchase data  105  (S 1032 ). 
     The data area access unit  910  records the purchase data  105  in the data area  206  (S 1034 ). In this manner, the processing is completed. 
     The following is a description of the portable player  111  that is connected to the semiconductor memory card  101  and reproduces the trial data  103 . In the manner described above, the trial data  103  and the purchase data  105  have been stored in the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the construction of the portable player  111  of the present embodiment. As shown in this drawing, the portable player  111  includes a secure area access unit  1101 , a content key decryption key generating unit  1102 , a content key decryption unit  1103 , a data area access unit  1104 , a content decryption unit  1105 , and a reproducing unit  1106 . The portable player  111  having this construction is connected to the semiconductor memory card  101  and performs mutual authentication with the semiconductor memory card  101 . Only if the mutual authentication has succeeded, the portable player  111  is allowed to access the secure data area  205  of the storage unit  203  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The secure data area access unit  1101  performs the following operations if an instruction to reproduce the trial data  103  is inputted. The secure data area access unit  1101  accesses the secure data area  205  of the semiconductor memory card  101 , reads the media ID  300  and the encrypted first content key  301  from the secure data area  205 , sends the read media ID  300  to the content key decryption key generating unit  1102 , and sends the encrypted content key  301  to the content key decryption unit  1103 . 
     The content key decryption key generating unit  1102  generates a content key decryption key from the media ID  300  sent from the secure data area access unit  1101  and sends the generated content key decryption key to the content key decryption unit  1103 . 
     The content key decryption unit  1103  decrypts the encrypted first content key  301  sent from secure data area access unit  1101  using the content key decryption key sent from the content key decryption key generating unit  1102 , and sends the decrypted first content key  301  to the content decryption unit  1105 . 
     The data area access unit  1104  performs the following operations if the instruction to reproduce the trial data  103  is inputted. The data area access unit  1104  accesses the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 , reads the content  401  included in the trial data  103  from the data area  206 , and sends the read content  401  to the content decryption unit  1105 . The content  401  has been encrypted using the first content key. 
     The content decryption unit  1105  decrypts the content  401  sent from the data area access unit  1104  using the first content key sent from the content key decryption unit  1103 . The content decryption unit  1105  then sends the decrypted content  401  to the reproducing unit  1106 . 
     The reproducing unit  1106  expands and reproduces the compression-coded content  401  sent from the content decryption unit  1105  and outputs music using speakers. 
     The operation of the portable player  111  having this construction is described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.  12 . 
     The secure data area access unit  1101  waits for the instruction to reproduce trial data to be inputted (S 1202 ). When the instruction is inputted, the secure data area access unit  1101  accesses the secure data area  205  of the semiconductor memory card  101  and reads the media ID  300  and the encrypted first content key  301  from the secure data area  205  (S 1204 ). 
     The content key decryption key generating unit  1102  generates a content key decryption key from the media ID  300  (S 1206 ). 
     The content key decryption unit  1103  decrypts the encrypted first content key  301  using the content key decryption key (S 1208 ). 
     The data area access unit  1104  reads the encrypted content  401  included in the trial data  103  from the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101  (S 1210 ). 
     The content decryption unit  1105  decrypts the encrypted content  401  using the first content key (S 1212 ). 
     The reproducing unit  1106  reproduces and outputs the decrypted content  401  (S 1214 ). In this manner, the processing is completed. 
       FIG. 13  shows the construction of the PC player  112  of the present embodiment. The PC player  112  performs purchase processing for the content  701  included in the purchase data  105  in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . The PC player  112  also records and reproduces contents. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the PC player  112  includes a purchase data obtaining control unit  1301 , a display unit  1302 , a data area access unit  1303 , a storage  1304 , a secure storage  1305 , a right management information decryption unit  1306 , a purchase processing unit  1307 , a reproduction allowance judging unit  1308 , a Check In/Out management unit  1309 , a content decryption unit  1310 , a reproducing unit  1311 , a secure data area access unit  1312 , a content key encryption key generating unit  1313 , and a content key encryption unit  1314 . The PC player  112  having this construction is connected to the semiconductor memory card  101  and the purchase processing unit  1307  is connected to the external fee processing apparatus  114  via a public line network. 
     The purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  performs the following operations, if the PC player  112  is connected to the semiconductor memory card  101  and a user inputs an instruction to perform purchase processing. The purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  instructs the data area access unit  1303  to read the purchase data  105  and instructs the right management information decryption unit  1306  to decrypt the right management information  703 . 
     The purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  then receives the content information  702  from the data area access unit  1303 , extracts the content name and artist name from the content information  702 , generates a display screen  1401  shown in  FIG. 14 , and instructs the display unit  1302  to display the generated display screen. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the display screen  1401  includes a content name  1402 , an artist name  1403 , a “Play” button  1404 , and a “Record” button  1405 . 
     If the user clicks on the “Play” button  1404  in the display screen  1401  displayed by the display unit  1302 , the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  informs the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  that the “Play” button  1404  is clicked on and sends content identification information to the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308 . If the user clicks on the “Record” button  1405  in the display screen  1401 , the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  informs the Check In/Out management unit  1309  that the “Record” button  1405  is clicked on and sends the content identification information to the Check In/Out management unit  1309 . 
     If informed by the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  that it is allowed to reproduce the content  701  included in the purchase data  105 , the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  informs the right management information decryption unit  1306  that the content  701  should be reproduced. Also, if informed that it is not allowed to reproduce the content  701 , the purchase data obtaining unit  1301  instructs the display unit  1302  to display a message showing that the reproduction of the content  701  is impossible. 
     If informed by the Check In/Out management unit  1309  that it is allowed to record the content  701 , the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  informs the right management information decryption unit  1306  that the content  701  should be recorded and instructs the data area access unit  1303  to record the content  701  with content identification information. Also, it informed that it is not allowed to record the content  701 , the purchase data obtaining unit  1301  instructs the display unit  1302  to display a message showing that the recording of the content  701  is impossible. 
     The display unit  1302  includes a liquid crystal display and performs the following operations. The display unit  1302  displays the display screen  1401 , through which the user inputs instructions to reproduce and record the purchase data  105 , and display messages showing that the reproduction and recording are impossible. 
     The data area access unit  1303  is instructed by the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  to read the purchase data  105 . The data area access unit  1303  then reads the purchase data source information  102  corresponding to the trial data  103  in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101 , accesses the data area  206  according to the address given by the read purchase data source information  102 , and reads the purchase data  105  from the data area  206 . Following this, the data area access unit  1303  stores the read purchase data  105  in the storage  1304  and sends the content information  702  of the purchase data  105  to the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301 . 
     Also, on receiving content identification information from the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  and being informed by the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  that the content  701  should be recorded, the data area access unit  1303  reads the content  701  included in the purchase data  105  from the storage  1304  and records the read content  701  in the data area  206  of a semiconductor memory card (the semiconductor memory card  101 , from which the purchase data  105  was read, or another semiconductor memory card). 
     The storage  1304  includes a hard disk and stores the purchase data  105  that the data area access unit  1303  has read from the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The secure storage  1305  includes a hard disk and provides an area that is secured by an application program concerning purchase processing for purchase data. The secure storage  1305  prestores a right management information decryption key and a terminal ID assigned to the PC player  112 . Also, the secure storage  1305  stores a right management DB (database) written by the purchase processing unit  1307 . 
       FIG. 15  shows an example content of the right management DB. The right management DB  1501  gives one or more information sets, each of which includes content identification information  1502  used to identify a content, reproduction allowance  1503  showing whether it is allowed for the PC player  112  to reproduce the content, and a Check Out counter value  1504 . Each time purchase processing is performed for a content included in purchase data, the purchase processing unit  1307  generates one information set for the content according to a corresponding content usage condition  705  and adds the generated information set to the right management DB  1501 . 
     The right management information decryption unit  1306  performs the following operations, if instructed by the purchase data obtaining control unit  103  to decrypt right management information. The right management information decryption unit  1306  first reads the right management information decryption key from the secure storage  1305 . 
     The right management information decryption unit  1306  then reads the right management information  703  included in the purchase data  105  from the storage  1304  and decrypts the read right management information  703  using the read right management information decryption key. Following this, the right management information decryption unit  1306  sends the content information  704 , the content usage condition  705 , and the vendor ID  706 , which are included in the decrypted right management information  703 , to the purchase processing unit  1307 . 
     If instructed by the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  to reproduce a content, the right management information decryption unit  1306  sends the decrypted second content key to the content decryption unit  1310 . If the purchase processing unit  1307  is yet to perform purchase processing for the content, the right management information decryption unit  1306  instructs the purchase processing unit  1307  to perform the purchase processing before sending the decrypted second content key to the content decryption unit  1310 . 
     If instructed by the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  to record a content, the right management information decryption unit  1306  instructs the purchase processing unit  1307  to perform purchase processing for the content and update the Check Out counter value  1504 , and sends the decrypted second content key to the content key encryption unit  1314 . 
     The purchase processing unit  1307  receives decrypted content usage condition from the right management information decryption unit  1306  and adds necessary information to the right management DB in the secure storage  1305 . 
       FIG. 16  shows an example of fee processing information. As shown in this drawing, fee processing information  1601  includes fee information  1602  and a vendor ID  1603 . The fee information  1602  includes a purchase date and time, a price, and content identification information. 
     If instructed to perform purchase processing, the purchase processing unit  1307  sends the fee processing information  1601  and the terminal ID to the fee processing apparatus  114  via a public line network. 
     It should be noted here that if instructed to perform purchase processing, the purchase processing unit  1307  may store the fee processing information  1601  in the secure storage  1305 . In this case, the purchase processing unit  1307  sends the stored information to the fee processing apparatus  114  each time a predetermined period of time (such as a month) has passed or the total of fees to be paid exceeds a predetermined amount (such as 1000 Yen). 
     The reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  receives content identification information and a notification that a corresponding content should be reproduced from the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301 , and examines the right management DB  1501  in the secure storage  1305  to determine whether the reproduction allowance  1503  corresponding to the content identification information is set as “Yes”. If the corresponding reproduction allowance  1503  is set as “Yes”, the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  informs the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  that it is allowed to reproduce the content. If the corresponding reproduction allowance  1503  is set as “No”, the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  informs the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  that it is not allowed to reproduce the content. 
     The Check In/Out management unit  1309  receives the content identification information and a notification that a corresponding content should be recorded from the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301 . The Check In/Out management unit  1309  then examines the right management DB  1501  in the secure storage  1305  to determine whether the Check Out counter value  1504  corresponding to the content identification information is at least one. If the corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  is at least one, the Check In/Out management unit  1309  inform the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  that it is possible to record the content and decrements the Check Out counter value  1504  by one. If the corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  is zero, the Check In/Out management unit  1309  informs the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  that it in impossible to record the content. 
     The content decryption unit  1310  receives the second content key from the right management information decryption unit  1306 . The content decryption unit  1310  then reads the encrypted content  701  included in the purchase data  105  from the storage  1304 , decrypts the encrypted content  701  using the second content key, and sends the decrypted content  701  to the reproducing unit  1311 . 
     The reproducing unit  1311  receives the decrypted content  701  from the content decryption unit  1310 . The reproducing unit  1311  then reproduces the decrypted content  701  and outputs music using speakers. 
     The secure data area access unit  1312  reads the media ID  300  from the secure data area  205  and sends the read media ID  300  to the content key encryption key generating unit  1313 , if instructed by the content key encryption unit  1314  to read the media ID  300  from the semiconductor memory card  101 . Also, if receiving the encrypted second content key from the content key encryption unit  1314 , the secure data area access unit  1312  records the encrypted second content key in the secure data area  205  of the semiconductor memory card  101 . 
     The content key encryption key generating unit  1313  receives the media ID  300  from the secure data area access unit  1312 . The content key encryption key generating unit  1313  then generates a content key encryption key, which is to be used to encrypt the second content key, from the media ID  300  and sends the content key encryption key to the content key encryption unit  1314 . 
     The content key encryption unit  1314  receives the second content key from the right management information decryption unit  1306  and instructs the secure data area access unit  1312  to read the media ID  300  from the secure data area  205 . The content key encryption unit  1314  also receives the content key encryption key from the content key encryption key generating unit  1313 , encrypts the second content key using the content key encryption key, and sends the encrypted second content key to the secure data area access unit  1312 . 
     The operation of the PC player  112  during the recording and reproduction of the content  701  included in the purchase data  105  is described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.  17 . 
     The PC player  112  is connected to the semiconductor memory card  101  that records the purchase data  105 . After receiving an instruction to perform purchase processing from the user, the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  instructs the data area access unit  1303  to read the purchase data  105 . The data area access unit  1303  reads the purchase data  105  from the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card  101  and stores the read purchase data  105  in the storage  1304  (S 1702 ). 
     The right management information decryption unit  1306  reads the right management information decryption key from the secure storage  1305  and decrypt the right management information  703  in the storage  1304  using the right management information decryption key (S 1704 ). 
     The purchase processing unit  1307  sends the fee processing information  1601  and the terminal ID to the fee processing apparatus  114  via the public line network and performs fee processing (S 1705 ). 
     The right management information decryption unit  1306  adds necessary information items included in the decrypted right management information to the right management DB in the secure storage  1305  (S 1706 ). 
     The purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  instructs the display unit  1302  to display the display screen  1401  that includes the “Play” button  1404  and the “Record” button  1405  (S 1708 ). By clicking on the button  1404  or  1405 , the user selects the content name  1402  and the artist name  1403  included in the content information  702  and inputs an instruction to reproduce or record the content  701  (S 1708 ). 
     The purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  judges whether the user inputted an instruction to record the content  701  or an instruction to reproduce the content  701  (S 1710 ). 
     If the user inputted an instruction to record the content  701 , the Check In/Out management unit  1309  judges whether a corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  in the right management DB  1501  in the secure storage  1305  is at least one (S 1712 ). If the corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  is zero, the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  instructs the display unit  1302  to display a message showing that the recording is impossible (S 1714 ). 
     If the corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  is at least one, the secure data area access unit  1312  reads the media ID  300  from the secure data area  205  of a semiconductor memory card (the semiconductor memory card  101 , from which the purchase data  105  was read, or another semiconductor memory card) (S 1716 ). 
     The content key encryption key generating unit  1313  generates a content key encryption key from the read media ID  300  (S 1718 ). 
     The content encryption unit  1314  obtains the decrypted second content key (S 1720 ) and encrypts the obtained second content key using the content key encryption-key (S 1722 ). 
     The secure data area access unit  1312  stores the encrypted second content key in the secure data area  205  of the semiconductor memory card (S 1724 ). 
     The data area access unit  1303  reads the encrypted content  701  from the storage  1304  and stores the read content in the data area  206  of the semiconductor memory card (S 1726 ). 
     The Check In/Out management unit  1309  decrements the corresponding Check Out counter value  1504  in the right management DB  1501  in the secure storage  1305  by one (S 1728 ). In this manner, the processing is completed. 
     If the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  judges that the user inputted an instruction to reproduce the content  701  in S 1710 , the reproduction allowance judging unit  1308  judges whether a corresponding reproduction allowance  1503  in the right management DB  1501  in the secure storage  1305  is set as “Yes” (S 1730 ). 
     If the corresponding reproduction allowance  1503  is set as “No”, the purchase data obtaining control unit  1301  instructs the display unit  1302  to display a message showing that the reproduction is impossible (S 1732 ). Then the processing is terminated. 
     If the corresponding reproduction allowance  1503  is set as “Yes” and the reproduction is possible, the content decryption unit  1310  receives the second content key from the right management information decryption unit  1306 , reads the encrypted content from the storage  1304  (S 1734 ), and decrypts the read content using the received second content key (S 1736 ). The reproducing unit  1311  reproduces and outputs the decrypted content (S 1738 ). In this manner, the processing is completed. 
       FIG. 18  shows the construction of the fee processing apparatus  114  of the present embodiment. As shown in this drawing, the fee processing apparatus  114  includes a user DB  1801 , a fee DB  1802 , a user authentication unit  1803 , a fee processing unit  1804 , and a share determining unit  1805 . 
     Each of the user DB  1801  and the fee DB  1802  includes a hard disk. 
       FIG. 19  shows an example content of the user DB  1801 . 
     As shown in this drawing, the user DB  1801  gives one or more information sets, each of which includes a user ID  1901 , a terminal ID  1902 , a name  1903 , and a card number  1904 . 
     The user ID  1901  is an identifier assigned to the user who bought the purchase data  105 . 
     The terminal ID  1902  is an identifier assigned to the PC player  112 . 
     The name  1903  is the name of the user assigned the user ID  1901 . 
     The card number  1904  is a card number of the credit card used by the user to make a payment. 
       FIG. 20  shows an example content of the fee DB  1802 . 
     As shown in this drawing, the fee DB  1802  gives one or more information sets, each of which includes a date and time  2001 , a user ID  2002 , content identification information  2003 , an amount  2004 , and a vendor ID  2005 . 
     The date and time  2001  shows when a user purchased content. The user ID  2002  is an identifier assigned to the user who purchased the content. The content identification information  2003  is information used to identify the purchased content. The amount  2004  is a fee corresponding to the price  801  shown in the content usage condition  705 . The vendor ID  2005  is an identifier assigned to the card vendor that sold the semiconductor memory card, and corresponds to the vendor ID  1603  included in the fee processing information  1601  sent from the purchase processing unit  1307 . The vendor ID  2005  giving a sign “-” means that a content other than the content included in the purchase data in the semiconductor memory card is purchased (that is, a content is downloaded and purchased via a network). 
     The user authentication unit  1803  receives the terminal ID from the PC player. The user authentication unit  1803  then confirms that the received terminal ID corresponds to a terminal ID registered in the user DB  1801  and informs the fee processing unit  1804  of a corresponding user ID. 
     The fee processing unit  1804  registers fee processing information sent from the PC player in the fee DB. When doing so, the fee processing unit  1804  registers the user ID informed by the user authentication unit  1803  in the fee DB. 
     The share determining unit  1805  determines the amount of a promotion share that should be paid to each vendor. The share determining unit  1805  performs this operation by referring to the fee DB at predetermined periods (such as every month). 
     The share determining unit  1805  then calculates a total Ti of amounts  2004  for each vendor ID and determines the amount Mi of a promotion share for each vendor by multiplying the total Ti by a predetermined coefficient k (0&lt;k&lt;1(“k=0.1”, for instance)). 
     The promotion share for each vendor is paid by the clearing house  113 . 
     The operation of the fee processing apparatus  114  having this construction is described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.  21 . 
     The fee processing apparatus  114  receives the terminal ID and fee processing information from the PC player  112  (S 2102 ). 
     The user authentication unit  1803  searches the user DB  1801  for the received terminal ID (S 2104 ). If the received terminal ID is not registered in the user DB  1801 , the processing returns to S 2102 . If the received terminal ID is registered in the user DB  1801 , the user authentication unit  1803  informs the fee processing unit  1804  of a corresponding user ID (S 2106 ). 
     The fee processing unit  1804  registers the informed user ID and the received fee processing information in the fee DB  1802  (S 2108 ). 
     The stated operations are performed at predetermined dates and times (such as every month on 20th at 0:00 a.m.) (S 2110 ). 
     The share determining unit  1805  calculates a total Ti of amounts  2004  for each vendor assigned one vendor ID by referring to the fee DB  1802  (S 2112 ). The share determining unit  1805  then calculates the amount Mi of a promotion share for each vendor according to a formula “Mi-k*Ti” (S 2114 ) and outputs each calculated amount Mi (S 2116 ). Then the processing returns to S 2102 . 
     It should be noted here that in the embodiment described above, the songs recorded as a content for promotion are the same as those recorded as the content included in the purchase data. However, the promotion content may be only representative songs of an artist and the content included in the purchase data may be a plurality of songs in the latest album of the artist. 
     Also, although each content is music data in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, each content may be still image data or video data. 
     Further, in the embodiment, the constructions of the recording apparatus  107 , the portable player  111 , the PC player  112 , and the fee processing apparatus  114  are respectively shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 ,  13 , and  18  and the functions of their construction elements are described. However, these apparatuses and players may be realized as program. In this case, computers achieve the functions of their construction elements by executing the programs. Also, these programs may be stored in computer-readable recording media and the recording media may be applied to apparatuses that do not have the construction elements of the present invention. In this case, the effect of the present invention is also achieved by the apparatuses. 
     Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein. 
     Industrial Use Possibility 
     With the semiconductor memory card of the present invention that records contents for trial and purchase, the download of contents via the Internet becomes unnecessary and contents are easily obtained. Also, the PC player of the present invention reproduces and records contents for purchase related to trial contents without difficulty, and so is applicable to the recording of contents such as music data.