Sony is removing 551 movies from PlayStation customers' accounts due to licensing changes with StudioCanal, affecting users who purchased the content. This incident underscores the precarious nature of digital ownership, where purchases are effectively revocable licenses, and it may fuel consumer demand for stronger protections or refunds. StudioCanal is the rights holder demanding the removal; Sony is not offering refunds but may provide store credits in some regions. The movies will become inaccessible after deletion.
Background
Digital purchases on platforms like PlayStation Store are typically licenses, not ownership transfers. Digital rights management (DRM) allows companies to revoke access to content if licensing agreements change. This differs from physical media, which buyers own outright independent of the platform.
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Discussion
Comments blame both Sony and StudioCanal, with some arguing that piracy is justified when purchases can be revoked. Others note similar practices by Apple and emphasize the importance of local backups. A recurring theme is that digital 'purchases' are misnamed.