A procedure that confirms the presence or absence of support for standardized capabilities is present in transmissions to an image-providing apparatus having a photo-direct print capability and an image-printing apparatus, for example. The procedure is used to exchange information relating to the presence or absence of support for a service that provides a cooperative capability separate from the standardized capabilities, making it possible to use non-standard capabilities while maintaining compatibility with devices that do not support the service that provides the cooperative capability separate from the standardized capabilities.