An image forming apparatus includes a LVBC extraction unit configured to make a determination as to copy restriction based on the LVBC, a copy restricted image pattern analysis unit configured to make a determination as to the copy restriction based on the copy restricting information, a job control unit configured to decide whether the copying of the copy target image is permitted or prohibited by referring to the determination result by the copy restricted image pattern analysis unit based on the determination result of the LVBC extraction unit, and a print unit configured to output the copy target image in a case where the deciding unit decides that the copying of the copy target image is permitted.