Patent ID: 7389271

Claim:
An information processing apparatus, comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of main information, the main information having identification data associated therewith; second storage means for storing a plurality of sub-information including an advertising element associated respectively with the plurality of main information, the identification data providing a correspondence between at least some of the main information and at least some of the sub-information; means for selectively retrieving the plurality of main information based on at least some of the plurality of sub-information selected by a user; means for transmitting the retrieved main information; means for billing the user a fee for the transmitted main information using one of a first billing method and a second billing method depending on history information supplied to the billing means, the history information indicating whether or not the main information is retrieved using at least some of the plurality of sub-information stored in the second storage means; and means for controlling the billing means so that if the history information identifies that the advertising element was carried out, then the controlling means directs the billing means to execute the first billing method to discount the fee, and if the history information identifies that the advertising element was not carried out, then the controlling means directs the billings means to execute the second billing method to not discount the fee, wherein secondary information related to the plurality of main information stored in the first storage means is stored as the sub-information in the second storage means, and wherein the secondary information includes information related to an advertisement, a movie and a broadcast in which the main information stored in the first storage means is used.