An information recording apparatus and method and an information reproduction apparatus and method enable security information of AV data to be managed appropriately. A copy control information detection section acquires copy control information (CCI_i) of a video signal supplied from a terminal and outputs it to a controller. The controller determines the values of is_not_free and is_encrypted based on the copy control information supplied from the copy control information detection section and outputs the values to a source packetization section. Is_not_free and is_encrypted represent a limitation to copying and an encryption mode of data recorded on a recording medium, respectively, and are described in the header of a source packet produced by a source packetization section. The source packet produced by the source packetization section is encrypted in accordance with the value of is_encrypted, undergoes a predetermined process by an encryption section, and is then recorded onto the recording medium.