An apparatus and method for processing information, including an error-correcting
coding device for encoding information data into at least one error-correcting
code, the error-correcting code containing the information data and a parity check
code, and an encryption device for encrypting at least a portion of the information
data and at least a portion of the parity check code contained in the error-correcting
code. In this manner, unauthorized copying of the digital data is prevented and
the copyright on the data is protected. In one embodiment, unauthorized users can
partially view image data that is not selected for encryption by an encryption selector.
