So, if you bought a DVD licensed by Sony, can they now legally enter your house and take your DVD?
Or can Sony have some sort of DRM that prevents the DVD from playing when Sony loses the license agreement?
I’m just trying to reconcile how digital purchases can be subject to license terms changes, while a DVD apparently can’t be.
If their contract with the rights-holder says they are only authorized to distribute the video for N years, then you can’t blame them for uploading their contractual obligations.
Like, enshittification is a problem but let’s aim our pitchforks at the right target
If they know how many years they’ll hold the rights, that information should be given to the consumer, i.e., “you will have access to this media product for at least N years.” Then the consumer can make an informed decision (is $24.99 worth it to own a movie for 6 years? Etc). Otherwise it’s just a gamble. Everything else you can rent (cars, tools, equipment, venues, clothing, dumpsters) comes with very clear temporal terms. Imagine if rental car companies could remotely brick your rental car halfway through your vacation.
Both are the right target. Sony has 0 problem with this. They’re not some victim in this only working with this model of digital distribution because they were strong-armed. Sony doesn’t really give a shit that we don’t own the things we buy
What about the obligations to their customers to provide what was paid for?
If they can’t provide the service, provide a refund.
It’s both parties. The button says ‘buy’ not ‘hire for N years until the contract runs out.’
The implied transaction for consumers was that they had ‘purchased’ a product and retained it indefinitely. If Sony can no longer uphold their end of the deal, then they should be refunding.
“Buy” implies nothing beyond the exchange of goods or services for currency.
I can buy a ticket for a boat ride. I can buy airtime on a radio station. I can buy intellectual property rights.
Know what you’re buying before you press the button.
Corporations suck but you can’t blame them for everything.