This invention enhances usability while performing copy control when recording a digital broadcast program specified as Copy One Generatio. In this copy control method, digital contents received by a first recording apparatus are copied to a second recording apparatus via a network interface and to a third recording apparatus via a local interface according to the copy control information received by the first recording apparatus. When the received control information indicates Copy Free with Limit of the Number permitting a predetermined copy number of multiple copies, the received digital contents can be recorded and managed in the first recording apparatus to be copied up to the predetermined copy number. The digital contents copied to the second recording apparatus are managed as No More Copies, and the digital contents copied to the third recording apparatus are managed as No More Copies and No Move.