Semiconductor memory card that records contents for trial and purchase, and recording apparatus, recording and reproducing apparatus, and sales method for the same

Abstract

A recording medium which allows consumers to access and purchase content while protecting the copyright of the content. The recording medium includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area. The secure data area is accessible by an apparatus whose authenticity is verified, and the non-secure area is accessible by the apparatus regardless of such verification. The secure data area stores a first content key. The non-secure data area stores first data and second data which can be decrypted. The first data includes a first encrypted content which is generated by encrypting a first content with the first content key, and the second data includes a second encrypted content which is generated by encrypting a second content with a second content key, where the first and second contents are related to each other.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 958,939, filed Oct. 16, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 506,098, filed Feb. 17, 2000, now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory card that protects the copyright to a content, and a recording apparatus, a recording and reproducing apparatus, and the sales method for the semiconductor memory card. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In recent years, distribution of pay contents on the Internet (in other words, the EC (Electronic Commerce)) has become increasingly popular and more and more pay contents are provided on the Internet. In the EC on the Internet generally, a consumer accesses a homepage set up by the information provider and searches for contents he / she likes. Once the consumer finds contents of his / her choice, the consumer sends to the information provider a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a semiconductor memory card that allows consumers to easily access and purchase content without connecting to the internet or downloading the content. The semiconductor memory card includes a secure data area and a non-secure data area, with the secure data area being accessible only if the apparatus verifies the authenticity. The non-secure data area stores trial data and a second encrypted content key that can be decrypted using a second content key obtained from the semiconductor memory card. The recording and reproducing apparatus includes a content storage unit, content key generating unit, and encryption units to record and read data in the semiconductor memory card. The invention also provides a recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces purchase data in the semiconductor memory card."

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, it has become difficult to protect the copyright to music data against such uses.

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