Patent ID: 7373391

Claim:
A system for distributing images through a communications network to a user system on which an image editor is installed, the image editor edits and prints a print page having an image incorporated therein, comprising: image storing means for storing, with respect to each of a plurality of images that can be distributed, first true image data, encrypted with a prescribed encryption method that can be decrypted only by said image editor within the user system, a second image data having a smaller number of pixels than said true image data, and control data indicating usage restrictions for said each image, where said true image data is printed on a print page having said each image incorporated thereon at said image editor, where the print page at said image editor is edited using said second image data before executing printing of said true image data on said print page and said control data controlling said image editor to restrict editing operations for editing said print page using said second image data that can be carried out at said image editor, wherein said printing of said true image can be carried out only on said print page which has been edited by said editing operations restricted by said control data, in both cases where the printing is carried out by a printer of a user and where the printing is carried out by professional printing service; second image transmission means for selecting one image from among said plurality of images, and transmitting said second image data and said control data for the selected image to said user system; downloading means for transmitting said encrypted true image data for said selected image to said user system upon receipt of a request from a user; usage right determining means for determining whether the user of said user system has a usage right for said true image data; and usage authorizing means for authorizing said image editor on said user system to decrypt said encrypted true image data and output said print page using the decrypted true image data according to said usage right, only when said user is determined by said usage right determining means to have said usage right.