A configuration enabling selective copy permission for each of a basic layer and an auxiliary layer used for reproduction of video data is realized. A copy execution apparatus performing a data copying process between media performs a process of receiving dynamic range scalability limiting information that is copy limiting information recording whether or not copy is allowed for each of a basic layer and an auxiliary layer used for reproduction of video data from a copy management server, determining whether or not copy is allowed for each of the layers, selecting layer data allowed to be copied or video data generated on the basis of the copy-allowed layer data, and copying the selected data to a second medium.

A digital information recording apparatus includes a recording circuit for recording information of a retention period included in the digital information and indicating a period for permitting the digital information to be held in the recording medium, starting with a time at which the digital information is recorded on the recording medium; and information of a playback permission period included in the digital information and indicating a period for permitting the digital information to be played back starting with a time at which the information is reproduced initially following recording of the digital information on the recording medium, permitting temporary recording or copying for the information permitted for copy never or copy one generation.

An Internet appliance, comprising, within a single housing, packet data network interfaces, adapted for communicating with the Internet and a local area network, at least one data interface selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus, an IEEE-1394 interface, a voice telephony interface, an audio program interface, a video program interface, an audiovisual program interface, a camera interface, a physical security system interface, a wireless networking interface; a device control interface, smart home interface, an environmental sensing interface, and an environmental control interface, and a processor, for controlling a data transfer between the local area network and the Internet, and defining a markup language interface communicated through a packet data network interface, to control a data transfer or control a remote device.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive contents includes: a receiving unit configured to receive the contents; an interface through which the contents received by the receiving unit are outputted; and a control unit configured to control an output state of the contents from the interface. The control unit is configured to determine an output state of the contents from the interface in accordance with a combination of control information indicating a copy control state of the contents, control information for specifying whether protection is required or not when the contents are to be outputted, information indicating resolution of video of the contents, and information indicating transmission characteristics of the video of the contents, which are received by the receiving unit together with the contents.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive contents includes: a receiving unit configured to receive the contents; an interface through which the contents received by the receiving unit are outputted; and a control unit configured to control an output state of the contents from the interface. The control unit is configured to determine an output state of the contents from the interface in accordance with a combination of control information indicating a copy control state of the contents, control information for specifying whether protection is required or not when the contents are to be outputted, information indicating resolution of video of the contents, and information indicating transmission characteristics of the video of the contents, which are received by the receiving unit together with the contents.