Patent ID: 7499187

Claim:
An image forming system comprising: a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a control panel; at least one computer connected to the image forming apparatus via a network communication line; at least one server connected to the image forming apparatus via the network communication line; a first request section which requests a trial of one of the functions of the image forming apparatus in response to an operation of either the control panel or the computer performed by one of a service person or a user; a setting section which sets a trial mode in which at least either the number of trials or the number of days for the trials is limited, for the function which has been requested by the first request section; a second request section which requests, of the server, the purchase of the function for which the trial mode has been set in response to an operation of either the control panel or the computer performed by the user; and a permitting section which permits the use of the functions for which the trial mode has been set, in accordance with the purchase request from the second request section, wherein, in a case where the second request section has not requested the purchase of the function for which the trial mode has been set, the use of the function for which the trial mode has been set is prohibited upon completion of the trial mode.