Patent ID: 8009529

Claim:
A multi-layered information recording medium, comprising: a plurality of recording layers; a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers; and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list that is information for managing a defective area detected in the user data area, wherein the defect list storing area is provided in a prescribed layer of the plurality of recording layers, the defect list is information for managing a defective area detected in the prescribed layer and a defective area detected in a recording layer other than the prescribed layer, at least one of the plurality of recording layers other than the prescribed layer comprises a spare defect list storing or area that is used to record the defect list when the defect list storing area is not usable, the multi-layered information recording medium further comprising an area for storing a management information that is information for managing usage states of the defect list storing area and the spare defect list storing area, and the management information indicates whether or not the defect list storing area is used and whether or not the spare defect list storing area is used.