Each network-connected information processing apparatus stores restriction information defined for each agent in order to restrict the operation of the agent which moves to the self apparatus and runs. When the agent is to move from the first information processing apparatus as one of the information processing apparatuses to the second information processing apparatus as another information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus receives restriction information corresponding to the agent from the second information processing apparatus. The first information processing apparatus selects at least one of the components in correspondence with the second information processing apparatus on the basis of the restriction information, and moves the agent holding the selected component to the second information processing apparatus.