Access control for digital content

摘要

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.