A DVD player 11 reads disc control information recorded on a DVD medium M
and causes a display 12 to display a start menu screen, thereby prompting
a viewer to perform authentication (1). The viewer uses a remote
controller 11a to display a first viewer authentication screen (2). Then,
an acquisition code is indicated and an input of a password is requested.
Here, the viewer uses a mobile telephone 13 to access the website
indicated by an URL shown on the first viewer authentication screen
(substantially, a server computer 2) and inputs a user ID and an
acquisition code, thereby acquiring a password required for viewing the
content of the DVD medium M ((3) and (4)). The viewer inputs the acquired
password into the first viewer authentication screen (5). While a program
recorded on the DVD medium M is executed, the DVD player 11 authenticates
the password which has been input. If the password is judged to be valid,
reproduction of the specified content is started.