System for management of software employing memory for processing unit with regulatory information, for limiting amount of use and number of backup copies of software

摘要

A set of a management-use memory medium in which is written various type of regulatory information (limit I of use of software, limit L of production of the next generation, a number K of generations showing up to what generation backup copies can be produced, software identification information PID, etc.) and a software memory medium in which the software is stored is established and use of the software is allowed under the restrictions of this regulatory information. Further, the software memory medium and the management-use memory medium may be provided in the same memory medium or the two may be constituted as separate memory media. In the case of the latter separate management system, the software is allowed to be used only when the software identification information PID written in the two match. It is therefore possible to suppress the unauthorized use of software without detracting from the spatial convenience of software use.