Patent ID: 6882728

Claim:
A reproduction apparatus for reproducing video or audio information recorded in a storage medium, comprising: an encryption system detection means for detecting whether the video or audio information recorded in said storage medium is encrypted or not in accordance with a predetermined encryption system; an electronic watermark detection means for detecting an electronic watermark information indicative of a copy management information, including at least copy prohibition which is superimposed onto the video or audio information, in a case where the video or audio information recorded in said storage medium is detected in said encryption system detection means as being not encrypted in accordance with the predetermined encryption system; and a reproduction restricting means for controlling reproduction of the video or audio information in accordance with said copy management information, when any of the copy management information is detected upon a detection result by said watermark detection means, in a case where the video or audio information recorded in said storage medium is not encrypted in accordance with the predetermined encryption system.