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 object is protected from unauthorized copying by providing a key generator for the object, producing a first key, second key and a lock for the keys, storing the first key in the object, storing the second key in a database separate from the object, reading the first and second keys, opening the lock with the first and second keys, producing a third and fourth keys and a new lock for the object, invalidating the first and second keys, replacing the first key in the object with the third key, and replacing the second key in the database with the fourth key.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

A system and method is disclosed for allowing content providers to protect against widespread copying of their content, while enabling them to give their customers more freedom in the way they use the content. In accordance with one embodiment, content providers identify their content as protected by watermarking the content. Consumers use compliant devices to access protected content. All of a user's compliant devices, or all of a family's devices, can be organized into an authorized domain. This authorized domain is used by content providers to create a logical boundary in which they can allow users increased freedom to use their content.

An object is protected from unauthorized copying by providing a key generator for the object, producing a first key, second key and a lock for the keys, storing the first key in the object, storing the second key in a database separate from the object, reading the first and second keys, opening the lock with the first and second keys, producing a third and fourth keys and a new lock for the object, invalidating the first and second keys, replacing the first key in the object with the third key, and replacing the second key in the database with the fourth key.

A system and method is disclosed for allowing content providers to protect against widespread copying of their content, while enabling them to give their customers more freedom in the way they use the content. In accordance with one embodiment, content providers identify their content as protected by watermarking the content. Consumers use compliant devices to access protected content. All of a user's compliant devices, or all of a family's devices, can be organized into an authorized domain. This authorized domain is used by content providers to create a logical boundary in which they can allow users increased freedom to use their content.

An information processing apparatus includes a data processing unit which executes processing for decoding and reproducing encrypted content. The data processing unit executes processing for determining whether the content can be reproduced by applying an encrypted content signature file. The encrypted content signature file stores information on issue date of the encrypted content signature file and an encrypted content signature issuer certificate with a public key of an encrypted content signature issuer. In determining whether the content can be reproduced, the data processing unit compares expiration date of the encrypted content signature issuer certificate with the information on issue date of the encrypted content signature file, and does not perform processing for decoding and reproducing the encrypted content when the expiration date is before the issue date, and performs the processing for decoding and reproducing the encrypted content only when the expiration date is not before the issue date.