Patent ID: 7698733

Claim:
A network system, comprising: a first information processing apparatus having a user interface for receiving input including a password from a user and for providing output to the user; and a second information processing apparatus including a database, said second information processing apparatus capable of being connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network, wherein the second information processing apparatus is operable to receive first identification information, and second identification information and the password over the network from the first information processing apparatus, the first identification information identifying at least one of the first information processing apparatus or a user of the first information processing apparatus, the second identification information identifying a program stored on a recording medium coupled to the first information processing apparatus, the second information processing apparatus being operable to verify whether the received first and second identification information and the password match data stored in the database, such that when the first identification information does not match the data stored in the database, and when the second identification information matches the data stored in the database and a password inputted by the user at the first information processing apparatus is valid, the second information processing apparatus permits the first information processing apparatus to execute the program.