A limited-use Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) includes a storage layer for
storing content data and control key data. At least one mark of
photosensitive dye is disposed on the disc exterior to the storage layer
and over at least a portion of the control key data. In one embodiment,
the mark is initially transparent to allow a DVD player to read the
control key data. The mark changes from clear to become opaque when it is
exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time. This
change in the optical property of the mark and the configuration of the
control key data prevents further reading of the content data after
predetermined reading and playback usage of at least some of the content
data is permitted. In another embodiment, the mark is initially opaque to
initially prevent the successful reading of the control key data, and
permanently changes to transparent when exposed to DVD reader laser light
for a cumulative period of time.