Abstract: A recording system for applying access control processing to input data content and for recording access-controlled data content on a computer readable storage medium. The recording system includes an encryption apparatus for encrypting portions of the input data content and an access control memory device which securely stores information from which a private key of a public key/private key pair associated with a data content recording user or user group is derivable. The encryption apparatus and the access control memory device co-operate to provide access control data including content recorder access control data and default access control data. The default content access control data provides the same level of access to the input data content as the level of access available to the data content recording user/user group. A recorder is provided for recording the encrypted input data content and the content access control data on the computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A recording arrangement is provided for applying access control processing to input data content and for recording access-controlled data content on a content storage medium. The recording arrangement comprises an encryption apparatus for encrypting portions of the input data content and an access control memory device operable to securely store information from which a private key of a public key/private key pair associated with a data content recording user or user group is derivable. The encryption apparatus and the access control memory device co-operate to provide means for generating access control data comprising content recorder access control data and default access control data. The default content access control data providing the same level of access to the input data content as the level of access available to the data content recording user/user group. A recording means is provided for recording the encrypted input data content and the content access control data on the content storage medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus operable to apply access control processing to input data content using a set of one or more content keys and to record access-controlled data content on a content storage medium on which a read-only medium identifier is stored comprises: means for encrypting portions of the data content in dependence upon the set of content keys; means for generating content access control data so that decryption of the information content requires access to the read-only medium identifier, the content access control data comprising at least one encrypted version of a respective subset of the set of content keys; and means for recording the encrypted data content and the content access control data on the content storage medium.