Assuming that copying is permitted only once in broadcasting or the like, there is provided a reproduction apparatus and a reproduction method of digital video signal or audio signal for preventing a pirated edition disk which is produced by recording a signal onto a DVD-R disk (capable of recording the signal once), a DVD-RAM disk (rewritable), or the like and thereafter illegally copying the recorded signal to a DVD-ROM, from being reproduced by an ordinary user's player capable of reproducing DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RAM disks. Furthermore, in the case where reproduction is inhibited, the cause of the reproduction stoppage is reported correctly. In the case where the copying permission information superimposed on the video signal indicates that copying of only one generation was permitted and the disk is judged to be a DVD-ROM, reproduction is inhibited. As a result, there is inhibited reproduction from a disk which is produced by temporarily recording video or audio data permitted as to copy of one generation onto a DVD-R/RAM and thereafter illegally copying the recorded data to a DVD-ROM.