A contents distribution supporting apparatus which enables contents to be distributed on a network without using cash as the medium of transaction. A database records user's points, and a storage accumulates contents to be provided for the users. When contents are received from the users via the network and accumulated in the storage, a first additional point value is added to a value of points owned by a user who has provided contents. On the other hand, when contents read out from the storage are provided for the users via the network, a subtractive point value is subtracted from a value of the points owned by a user who has been provided with the contents, and a second additional point value is added to a value of the points owned by a user who has provided the contents.