When new music content is generated on the basis of replication of original music content, additional information including information indicating that the generated new music content is based on replication and replication source information identifying a replicated-from source of the replicated content is generated and added to the new music content based on the replication. When the new (i.e., replicated) music content is to be used, a search is made for original music content on the basis of information identifying a replicated-from source and use of the new (replicated) music content is permitted only when the c original music content has been successfully found. Such arrangements reliably allow the replicated content to be used by a given person only when the person possesses the original music content.