Time based availability to content of a storage medium

An apparatus for controlling access by a user to content of a storage medium, the medium being readable by a corresponding medium reader from which the apparatus is adapted to receive the content, comprising;

• means for defining a start point in time prior to which access to the data content is to be inhibited;
• means for receiving a master clock signal from an authorization center;
• means for determining time and for determining when the start point has been reached;
• and
• means for enabling, responsive to the determined time effectively reaching the start point, access to the data content.

An apparatus for controlling access by a user to contents of a storage medium, comprising:

• a medium reader for reading the contents of the storage medium;
• logic circuitry connected to the medium reader for controlling the medium reader;
• and
• a local secure clock connected to receive time information and an access code from an external source and connected to the logic circuitry to provide time information thereto,
• wherein the local secure clock does not update its time information according to the received time information unless a valid access code is received with the time information from the external source.

An apparatus for controlling access by a user to contents of a storage medium, comprising:

• a medium reader for reading the contents of the storage medium;
• logic circuitry connected to the medium reader for controlling the medium reader;
• and
• a store for storing authorization records,
• wherein the store is adapted to be accessed only by an authorization center.