Recording apparatus for recording digital information

Abstract

A digital information recording apparatus to record digital information to protect copyright of digital information that includes at least first digital information and first copy control information. The digital information recording apparatus records the digital information based upon the first copy control information, which denotes one of: a copy inhibition prohibiting copying of said first digital information; a limited copy permission authorizing a predetermined number of times of copying of said first digital information; and an unlimited copy permission authorizing unlimited copying of said first digital information.

1 . A digital information recording apparatus to record a digital information, comprising: 
 separation means for separating first digital information and first copy control information from an inputted digital information signal including at least said first digital information and said first copy control information;    decrypt means for decrypting said first digital information outputted from said separation means;    select means for selecting one of said first digital information and a decrypted second digital information outputted from said decrypt means;    recording means for recording a selected one of said first digital information and said decrypted second digital information from said select means; and    control means for controlling at least said select means and said recording means in response to said first copy control information outputted from said separation means.