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Sony erases digital content from libraries

arstechnica.com

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Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#21

Post by Pingk »

ButlerianJihad wrote: post #3

They were never "purchases" and it's more that the terminology has been faulty and misleading, more so than the business model. The rank-and-file consumer wanted to believe that "purchasing" something was permanent, but the metaphor is leaky. If I purchase a table from Ikea, then I take the kit home, I assemble it, I store the table, I maintain the table, I clean the table, and I can keep the table around for as long…

Sony chose to use the words "purchase" and "buy" on their pages, and hide some sneaky text in the EULA that changes their definition to remove the implication of ownership.

They know that using terms like "rent" or "lease indefinitely" would reduce their revenue, so they squirrel away legal gotchas that no one ever reads to cover their arse. It shouldn't be allowed.

Just because something is legal doesn't make it ethical. Sometimes the ethical thing to do is ignore the legalities, which is why people are fine with advocating for piracy in cases like these.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#22

Post by dom96 »

nickpeterson wrote: post #16

I’ve bought a bunch of movies on appletv, and I think about how angry this would make me, but I’ve never looked into a decent backup solution. I’m not sure if the drm has ever been broken really, but I’d imagine some device could pretend to be an hdmi tv. Anyone ever backup their atv stuff?

This already happened in the iTunes era, didn’t it? My partner bought South Park episodes and songs and lost them all.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#23

Post by cubefox »

I think they should be legally required to offer some sort of compensation for cases where they remove content you previously "bought". Like removing the DRM and letting people download their content, or offering refunds, or transferring the rights to a similar service (like Amazon Prime). Or when "buying" the content, they would have to notify the user that it will only be guaranteed to be available for some limited timespan x.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#24

Post by markus_zhang »

cryo32 wrote: post #15
markus_zhang wrote: post #6

I never subscribe to any music/movie services. If I can find them I buy DVDs and if I can’t I download them.

I find DVDs mostly pointless now. I've started seeing some from around 2000 which are now unplayable.

So far mines still work. It’s the DVD players that are less reliable. But still I bought old Dell workstations that have one of those installed.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#25

Post by ivolimmen »

charcircuit wrote: post #7

The real issue here are the terms of the deal that allow Sony to revoke access to content at any time. If Sony only purchases a 5 year license to use a movie, then that expiration date should be communicated to the customer ahead of time. The idea that companies can take away games, movies, etc that you've paid for with the expectation you would have them forever is toxic for society.

They should drop the word 'buy'. There are several reasons your purchase will be gone at some point. There is no guarantee the company will not be bought by another company that reverses some policy or it goes bankrupt, etc.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#26

Post by MSFT_Edging »

antx wrote: post #13
hinata08 wrote: post #9

To the defence of Sony : I was getting concerned, but if only StudioCanal movies are getting pulled as Sony doesn't need to pay for that, *it's but a loss* The company was bought by the same tycoon who bought mainstream media to get frequencies, then replaced journalists with conservative anchors who ditch the news and rant about feminists and Muslims all day. They were recently known for Bac Nord. It is honestly a v…

Son your defrgument is... what? It's okay for them to rugpull as long as they are removing movies from a company which you don't support for... political reasons? Whew!

Political reasons =/= actual bad actors.

The person you're replying to made a case that a person with outsized influence is creating media to stir resentment for attention and your conclusion is "political reasons".

The word "political" always ends up meaning "don't talk about reactionaries throwing rocks"

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#27

Post by mapontosevenths »

cryo32 wrote: post #15
markus_zhang wrote: post #6

I never subscribe to any music/movie services. If I can find them I buy DVDs and if I can’t I download them.

I find DVDs mostly pointless now. I've started seeing some from around 2000 which are now unplayable.

DVD was made with organic dyes that are susceptible to disc rot. For a brief time some cheap blu rays were as well.

Now though all blu rays are inorganic and should last about 100 years. Some can last closer to 1000 years.

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#28

Post by hinata08 »

markus_zhang wrote: post #6

I never subscribe to any music/movie services. If I can find them I buy DVDs and if I can’t I download them.

these services are still ok for both suggestions and hard to find media

I let the Deezer bot surprise me OPM and I absolutely loved it

I also use it to listen to the Chinese rap, which would be a pain to get otherwise

Otherwise their human curated playlists are real good

But I agree with you, it's not how you "own" media. You only get the service to access media

Re: Sony erases digital content from libraries

#29

Post by afandian »

hinata08 wrote: post #17
Waterluvian wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can stop selling a product without taking it away from previous buyers.

it seems like it's not how the contract was written Also, on previous commercial disputes, these french studios and media outlets held an all or nothing stance, often asking to be completely removed from the offering of ISPs if they can't get the money they want. That's their way of getting what they want ; and as the ones who support this kind of move put it (so pretty much THEM) : you have the right to contract and…

Then Sony should have business insurance so they can refund all the customers.
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