Storage medium for preventing an irregular use by a third party

Abstract

A storage medium stores encrypted electronic data, a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium and encrypted permission information. At least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un-rewritable form which a user computer cannot rewrite.

1. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
 encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and  
 a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium  particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un-writable form which said user computer cannot rewrite, and said medium personal number is used for generating a decryption key for decrypting said encrypted electronic data in said user computer; and  
   permission information which includes the decryption key encrypted in a manner that is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer, and generated based upon said medium personal number, said permission information and said medium personal number enabling the user computer to decrypt the encrypted decryption key and to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.    
 
     
     
       2. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       3. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data is electronically published data. 
     
     
       4. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is an optical magnetic disk, or a partially embossed optical disk. 
     
     
       5. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is a CD-ROM. 
     
     
       6. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
 encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and  
 a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium  particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un-rewritable form which said user computer cannot rewrite, and said medium personal number is used for generating an encrypted permission information in said vendor computer; and  
   permission information encrypted in a manner that is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and generated based upon said medium personal number, wherein the permission information and said medium personal number enabling the user computer to decrypt the encrypted permission information and to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted permission information and the encrypted electronic data.    
 
     
     
       7. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the electronic data is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       8. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the electronic data is electronically published data. 
     
     
       9. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the storage medium is an optical magnetic disk, or a partially embossed optical disk. 
     
     
       10. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the storage medium is a CD-ROM. 
     
     
       11. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
 encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;  
 a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium  particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and  
 encrypted permission information,  that is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and generated based upon said medium personal number; 
 wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an unrewritable form which a user computer cannot rewrite, and wherein said encrypted permission information and said medium personal number enabling the user computer to decrypt the encrypted permission information and to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted permission information and the encrypted electronic data.  
 
     
     
       12. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the electronic data is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       13. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the electronic data is electrically published data. 
     
     
       14. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the storage medium stores a plurality of encrypted electronic data, and each encrypted electronic data has a different electronic data decrypting key. 
     
     
       15. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the storage medium is an optical magnetic disk, or a partially embossed optical disk. 
     
     
       16. A storage medium as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the storage medium is a CD-ROM. 
     
     
       17. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which a user storage reading apparatus cannot rewrite;        encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and        information which is encrypted based on said medium personal number and is encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and said medium personal number is used for generating a decryption key, said decryption key and said medium personal number enabling said user computer to decrypt said encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       18. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;        a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which the user storage reading apparatus cannot rewrite, and said medium personal number is used for decrypting said encrypted electronic data; and        information which is encrypted based on said medium personal number and is encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer, said information and said medium personal number enabling said user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       19. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the second computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon the decryption key;        a second storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the second computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       20. The storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the electronic information is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       21. The storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the electronic information is electronically published information. 
     
     
       22. The storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the storage medium is a read- only optical disk.   
     
     
       23. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data based upon the decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the encrypted decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the second computer, the encrypted electronic data includes electronic data encrypted based upon the decryption key;        a second storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the second computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       24. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon the decryption key;        a second storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       25. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data based upon the encrypted decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon the decryption key;        a second storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       26. A storage medium accessible from a plurality of computers which decrypt an encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium, the encrypted decryption key being based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer, and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon the decryption key;        a second storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing an encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       27. A storage medium accessible from a vendor computer and a user computer at different times, the storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon a decryption key;        a second storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from the computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       28. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   a first storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, the encrypted electronic data including electronic data encrypted based upon a decryption key;        a second storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a third storage area for storing an encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer,        wherein the encrypted decryption key in the third storage area and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in the first storage area in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       29. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the second computer and the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer, and wherein the encrypted decryption key and said medium personal number enables the second computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       30. The storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the electronic information is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       31. The storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the electronic information is electronically published information. 
     
     
       32. The storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the storage medium is a read- only optical disk.   
     
     
       33. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data to be decrypted by a specific second computer based upon the decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for the specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data and the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, and wherein the encrypted decryption key and said medium personal number enables the second computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       34. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer which is accessible after the decryption key has been decrypted, wherein said decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       35. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer based upon the decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data and the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer, and wherein the encrypted decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       36. A storage medium accessible from a plurality of computers which decrypt an encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium, the encrypted decryption key being based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which enables a user computer to decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in a particular computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from the computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing the encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data which is accessible after the decryption key has been decrypted, wherein said decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       37. A storage medium accessible from a vendor computer and a user computer at different times, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from the computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing an encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer which is accessible after the decryption key has been decrypted, wherein said decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       38. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing an encrypted decryption key, wherein the encrypted decryption key is generated based upon the medium personal number and the encrypted decryption key is generated independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer which is accessible after the decryption key has been decrypted, wherein said decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       39. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the second computer, which includes data encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer,        wherein the second computer decrypts encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific first computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       40. The storage medium of  claim 39 , wherein the electronic information is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       41. The storage medium of  claim 39 , wherein the electronic information is electronically published information. 
     
     
       42. The storage medium of  claim 39 , wherein the storage medium is a read- only optical disk.   
     
     
       43. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific first computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data based upon the decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, and accessible from a plurality of second computers which decrypt the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific second computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from at least the second computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the second computer, which includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer,        wherein the second computer decrypts encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific second computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       44. A storage medium accessible from a vendor computer and a user computer, where the vendor computer encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein said user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       45. A storage medium accessible from a first computer which encrypts a decryption key based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which stores the encrypted decryption key onto the storage medium and which encrypts electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer based upon the decryption key and which stores the encrypted electronic data onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       46. A storage medium accessible from a plurality of computers which decrypt an encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium, the encrypted decryption key being based upon the medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and which decrypt encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in a particular computer, comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from the computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the user computer decrypts encrypted electronic data in a manner that the second computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       47. A storage medium accessible from different computers at different times, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable from the computers, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by a user computer, which includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer; and        a storage area for storing electronic data which is accessible after the encrypted electronic data has been decrypted,        wherein the medium personal number enables a user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       48. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer which includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer; and        a storage area for storing electronic data which is accessible after the encrypted electronic data has been decrypted,        wherein the medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       49. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer in a manner such that a decryption key is encrypted based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and the encrypted decryption key is stored onto the storage medium, and accessed in a manner such that the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium is decrypted based upon the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer and that encrypted electronic data stored on the storage medium is decrypted based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       50. The storage medium of  claim 49 , wherein the electronic information is software used for a computer. 
     
     
       51. The storage medium of  claim 49 , wherein the electronic information is electronically published information. 
     
     
       52. The storage medium of  claim 49 , wherein the storage medium is a read- only optical disk.   
     
     
       53. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer in a manner such that a decryption key is encrypted based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and the encrypted decryption key is stored onto the storage medium and that electronic data is encrypted based upon the decryption key and the encrypted electronic data is stored onto the storage medium, and accessed in a manner such that the encrypted decryption key stored on the storage medium is decrypted based upon the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer and that the encrypted electronic information stored on the storage medium is decrypted based upon the decryption key that has been decrypted based on the medium personal number and independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in a particular second computer in different time, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing a medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       54. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer in a manner such that a decryption key is encrypted based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and that the encrypted decryption key is stored onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       55. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and a user computer in a manner such that a decryption key is encrypted based upon a medium personal number and independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and the encrypted decryption key is stored onto the storage medium and that electronic data is encrypted based upon the decryption key and the encrypted electronic data is stored onto the storage medium, the storage medium comprising:
   a storage area for storing the medium personal number, which is un - rewritable, wherein the medium personal number is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        a storage area for storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer, wherein the encrypted electronic data includes information encrypted based upon the medium personal number and encrypted independent from the specific apparatus number for the specific computer,        wherein the decryption key and said medium personal number enables the user computer to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       56. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   an area storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;        an area storing a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which the user computer cannot change; and        an area storing permission information which includes a decryption key encrypted in a manner that is independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and based upon said medium personal number, wherein said permission information and said medium personal number enabling the user computer to decrypt the encrypted decryption key and to decrypt the encrypted electronic data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted decryption key and the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       57. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer, said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   an area storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;        an area storing a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which the user computer cannot rewrite; and        wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data using permission information which is encrypted in a manner that is independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer and based upon said medium personal number.     
     
     
       58. A storage medium accessed by a vendor computer and user computer said storage medium for storing information readable by said user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   an area storing encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;        an area storing a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium; and        wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data using permission information that is encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer;        wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which a user computer cannot rewrite.     
     
     
       59. A storage medium readable by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   data representing a medium personal number;        encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and        first data that is based on the medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer, wherein the medium personal number is un - rewritable and particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, and wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data using the first data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       60. A storage medium according to  claim 59 , wherein the first data includes a key encrypted based on the medium personal number. 
     
     
       61. A storage medium according to  claim 59 , wherein the encrypted data is encrypted based on the key. 
     
     
       62. A storage medium according to  claim 59 , wherein the first data comprises the medium personal number. 
     
     
       63. A storage medium readable by a vendor computer and a user computer at different times, the storage medium comprising:
   data representing a medium personal number;        encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and        first data that is based on the medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer, wherein the medium personal number is un - rewritable and particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, and wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data using the first data in a manner that the user computer does not use the specific apparatus number for the specific computer in decrypting the encrypted electronic data.     
     
     
       64. A storage medium for storing data for access and processing by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   a medium personal number storage area including a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium, wherein the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which a user storage reading apparatus cannot rewrite;        an electronic information storage area including encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer; and        the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data based upon an encrypted decryption key which has been encrypted based on said medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer.     
     
     
       65. A storage medium for storing data for access and processing by a vendor computer and a user computer, said storage medium comprising:
   an encrypted electronic data storage area including encrypted electronic data to be decrypted by the user computer;        a medium personal number storage area including a medium personal number which is particularly personal for each storage medium and is different from a medium personal number of another storage medium;        wherein at least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un - rewritable form which the user storage reading apparatus cannot rewrite, and said medium personal number enables decrypting of said encrypted electronic data from the user computer; and        wherein the user computer decrypts the encrypted electronic data based upon information which is encrypted based on said medium personal number and encrypted independent from a specific apparatus number for a specific computer.