Patent ID: 8289539

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: at least a processor and memory cooperating to function as each of: a discrimination unit configured to discriminate, based on a holding-approved list, whether a holding-approved obtaining destination exists; a search unit configured to search for an obtaining destination having resources including fonts absent in the image forming apparatus, if the discrimination unit discriminates that a holding-approved obtaining destination does not exist; a decision unit configured to, if the discrimination unit discriminates that a holding-approved obtaining destination exists, decide that the existing holding-approved obtaining destination is a download request destination without the searching by the search unit, wherein, if the search unit finds an obtaining destination having resources including fonts absent in the image forming apparatus, (a) the decision unit adds the found obtaining destination to the holding-approved list and decides that the found obtaining destination is a download request destination if the found obtaining destination has a high priority for holding resources, and (b) the decision unit decides that the found obtaining destination is a download request destination without adding the found obtaining destination to the holding-approved list if the found obtaining destination does not have a high priority for holding resources; a forming unit configured to form a download request message for resources including fonts, with a holding request; and a sending unit configured to send the download request message formed by the forming unit to the download request destination decided by the decision unit.