A reproduction equipment converts an identification code of the
reproduction equipment into a plurality of signal sequences using a
correspondence table and embeds the obtained plurality of signal
sequences in AV signals as a digital watermark. A reproduction equipment
specifying equipment compares correlation values of the AV signals,
containing the digital watermark embedded therein with all signal
sequences contained in a correspondence table. A comparison of the
correlation values with a previously set threshold value determines the
embedded signal sequences and the identification code of the reproduction
equipment which may be extracted.