To sell and buy an electronic document of high value over a network as to a system, device, and method for electronic document processing, a device and method for electronic document preparation, a device and method for electronic document purchase, and a recording medium.

A computer 2 adds security code to a prescribed part including advantageous information of an electronic document and sends it to a computer 3 via the Internet 1. The computer 3 sends the display data of the electronic document to a computer 4, and the electronic document except for a specific part is all displayed and the prescribed part is reduced in its information amount and displayed according to the data displayed. The computer 4 sends an application for purchase of the browsed electronic document, together with credit information of the applicant. The computer 3 confirms credit information and allows reception, and sends the electronic document, so that the electronic document can be displayed without reducing the information amount of the specific part. Furthermore, the computer 3 obtains the counter value for the sent electronic document in accordance with the confirmed credit information.