Transmitter, signal transfer method, data distribution system and method of same, data receiver, data provider and method of same, and data transferer

Abstract

To enable usage of content at a receiver which does not have a copying function even if copyright protection is provided. Model names of receivers not having a function enabling copying of content are held in an authentication processing circuit () of a transmitter (). When a model name obtained from a connected receiver () is held, regardless of whether the content is copyright protected, a signal selection circuit () selects a terminal a side, a switch () is turned on, and an unencrypted signal is transmitted. When a change of the receiver () is detected by a hot plug detection function or a plug and play function at a processing circuit () during the transfer of a signal of copyright protected content without providing copyright protection, the selection circuit () is made to select a terminal b side or the switch () is turned off to suspend the transfer of the non-copyright protected signal. The information indicating the receiver is held in a tamper-proof updateable manner.