Patent ID: 8307446

Claim:
A data using apparatus comprising: a data recording device for recording data; a data using device for using data recorded by the data recording device; first means for generating first data use history information in accordance with every actual use of data by the data using device, the first data use history information representing a starting time and an ending time of every actual use of data by the data using device; second means for sending the first data use history information generated by the first means toward an external apparatus; third means for receiving second data use history information from the external apparatus; fourth means for calculating first data use terms between the starting times and the ending times represented by the first data use history information; fifth means for calculating second data use terms between starting times and ending times represented by the second data use history information received by the third means; sixth means for deciding whether or not at least one of the first data use terms calculated by the fourth means and at least one of the second data use terms calculated by the fifth means at least partially overlap each other; and seventh means for generating multiple apparatus use notice information when the sixth means decides that at least one of the first data use terms and at least one of the second data use terms at least partially overlap each other.