A reproducing apparatus and method, the method comprising the steps of comprising recording a plurality of files and number-of-reproduction-times limitation information thereof, selecting a desired file from the plurality of files stored in the memory, and comparing whether the number-of-reproduction-times limitation information allows for reproduction of the selected file. The method further comprises the steps of counting the reproduced elapsed duration of the selected file and comparing whether the reproduced elapsed duration exceeds a predetermined value. The number-of-reproduction-times limitation information stored in the memory is edited when the reproduced elapsed duration exceeds the predetermined value to reduce the number of times the selected file may be subsequently be reproduced.
When the size of a file which has been read out from a magnetic disc unit less than a predetermined value, a CPU the file onto a magnetic tape of a magnetic tape unit as an archive file of a standard form to which attribute information where its size is represented by octal numeral is added. On the other hand, when the size of the file is the predetermined value or more, the CPU records such a file onto the magnetic tape as an archive file of an expanded form to which attribute information where the size of the file is represented by hexadecimal numeral and including identification symbol indicating hexadecimal representation is added. Where the attribute information of the recorded archive file does not include identification symbol, the archive file is reproduced as a standard form. Where the attribute information includes identification symbol, the archive file is reproduced as an expanded form.
A SDMI-compliant portable medium and a non-SDMI-compliant portable medium can be selectively connected to a licensed compliant module. When transferring copyright-protected encrypted content data from the licensed compliant module, whether the destination of transfer is the SDMI-compliant portable medium or the non-SDMI-compliant medium is determined. When the destination is found to be the SDMI-compliant portable medium, the number of times the encrypted content data can be transferred is restricted. When the destination is found to be the non-SDMI-compliant portable medium, the return (or check-in) of the encrypted content data from the non-SDMI-compliant portable medium to the licensed compliant module is disabled.
