PRINTER AND DATA DISTRIBUTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer that enables indirect collection of a consideration for duplication or the like of an image or document in the medium of electronic data. SOLUTION: The printer 1 has a host interface part 2, a control part 4 connected to the host interface part, a printing part 5 for printing a printing medium in the control of the control part, and a reading part 27 for reading in identification information from a printing medium 7 supplied to the printing part. The control part determines in determining means 14A whether the identification information read by the reading part satisfies expected information or not, and on condition that a satisfying determination result be obtained, decodes encrypted print data in decoding means 14C to enable printing in the printing part. A consideration for duplication or the like of an image or document in the medium of electronic data can be collected indirectly via the printing medium. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO