Patent ID: 7269662

Claim:
A data distribution method of distributing data read from a first information storage device by an information transmission apparatus from the information transmission apparatus to an information reception apparatus via a network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the data at an information relay apparatus interposed between the information transmission apparatus and the information reception apparatus, and writing the received data in a second information storage device; reading the data from the second information storage device at the information relay apparatus and transmitting the data from the information relay apparatus to the information reception apparatus; if the information relay apparatus detects data not stored in the second information storage device, transmitting a redistribution request for the data to either the information transmission apparatus or another information relay apparatus; and reading the data from the first or second information storage device at the information transmission apparatus or the other information relay apparatus received the redistribution request and transmitting the read data to the information relay apparatus or the other information relay apparatus.