A system for copy protection of recorded information is disclosed, including
an
information carrier, a recorder and a player. The information carrier, e.g. an
optical disc, includes a medium mark representing a first bitpattern, which medium
mark cannot be copied on standard recording devices. The recorded information includes
a watermark representing a second bitpattern, which second bitpattern has a predefined
relationship to the first bitpattern. The watermark cannot be manipulated without
disturbing the quality of the reproduction of the information. The relationship,
preferably a one-way function, between the watermark and the medium mark requires
that an illegal copy also has the corresponding medium mark. As neither the watermark
nor the medium mark can be manipulated, a strong protection against illegal copying
is achieved. The recorder includes encoder means for embedding the watermark in
the information and generator means for generating the second bitpattern according
to said relationship. The player includes verification means for verifying said relationship.