A recording medium storing a write protection information, and a write
protection method for protecting data recorded on a recordable and/or
rewritable disc from unwanted overwriting or erasing. In order for write
protection of a disc in a bare state that is usually used in a cartridge
having a recognition switch for write-protection, such as a DVD-RAM,
write protection information is recorded in a Lead-in area, a Lead-out
area or a recording information area other than a user data area of the
disc, and the data is protected from unwanted overwriting or erasing
using the write protection information. Also, even though the write
protection information stored on a disc does not match the state of a
recognition switch of a case for write-protection, the data can be
prevented from unwanted overwriting or erasing. Thus, the write
protection can be ensured when a recordable and/or rewritable recording
medium, such as DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, is used in a bare state.