The present invention provides an apparatus for correctly controlling content recorded on an optical disc. An apparatus 600 for using content recorded on an optical disc 601, wherein the optical disc 601 includes a control information area 602 composed of partial areas 603a-603n, each being for recording control information indicating that use of the content is not permitted, the apparatus 600 comprises: a position information holding unit 612 holding therein position information indicating one of the partial areas 603a-603n that is allocated for the apparatus 600 to record the control information; a reading unit 613 reading information within the control information area 602; a judgment unit 614 judging whether use of the content is permitted, with use of the information read by the reading unit 613 and the position information; and a usage control unit 615 using the content when use of the content is judged to be permitted.