An information processing apparatus includes a data processing section for reproducing contents stored in a medium having a general purpose area in which encrypted contents and corresponding utilization controlling information are stored and a protected area including a plurality of blocks having access limitation set thereto and including a block having an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted contents stored therein. The data processing section acquires utilization controlling information corresponding to a content from the general purpose area, decides, based on the utilization controlling information, whether validity period information indicative of a content utilization permission period is to be acquired from the utilization controlling information or the encryption key storage block, acquires the validity period information based on a result of the decision and then compares the acquired validity period information and current date information to decide permission or inhibition of content reproduction.