Patent ID: 7694155

Claim:
A model change device for replacing a first record/playback device with a second record/playback device due to change in a contract between a user and a service provider, the first record/playback device being usable under the contract, wherein the first record/playback device includes: a first internal storage unit operable to store a content that is a digital work; a first unique information storage unit operable to prestore device unique information that is unique to the first record/playback device; a first encryption unit operable to encrypt the content stored in the first internal storage unit based on the device unique information stored in the first unique information storage unit to generate encrypted information; a first write unit operable to write the generated encrypted information into a storage area of a recording medium device; a first read unit operable to read the encrypted information from the storage area of the recording medium device; a first decryption unit operable to decrypt the read encrypted information based on the device unique information stored in the first unique information storage unit to generate a decrypted content; and a first playback unit operable to play back the generated decrypted content, and the second record/playback device includes: a second internal storage unit including an internal storage area for storing a content that is a digital work; a second unique information storage unit including an internal storage area for storing device unique information; a second encryption unit operable to encrypt the content stored in the second internal storage unit based on the device unique information stored in the second unique information storage unit to generate encrypted information; a second write unit operable to write the generated encrypted information into the storage area of the recording medium device; a second read unit operable to read the encrypted information from the storage area of the recording medium device; a second decryption unit operable to decrypt the read encrypted information based on the device unique information stored in the second unique information storage unit to generate a decrypted content; and a second playback unit operable to play back the generated decrypted content, the model change device comprising: a third read unit operable to read the device unique information stored in the first unique information storage unit, and delete the device unique information from the first unique information storage unit; and a third write unit operable to write the read device unique information into the second unique information storage unit.