To reduce the number of branching devices, as compared with a conventional method by effectively utilizing the branching devices.

A branching device reporting server for inquiring a destination apparatus, to which a distribution request is transmitted is prepared and a receiving apparatus inquires "the address of a branching device which is a transmission destination of the distribution request" to the branching device reporting server, before transmitting the distribution request and is operated so as to transmit the distribution request to the address that is returned from the branching device reporting server. The branching device reporting server inquired inquires the branching state to the branching devices or a distribution server, in a previously set order; and when a branchable branching device or the distribution server is detected, returns the address of the detected device is returned. When a branchable branching device or a distribution server is not detected, the branching device reporting server returns to the effect that there is no transmission destination of the distribution request, to the receiving apparatus.

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