Sony deletes more movies from the accounts of people who ‘bought’ them (techdirt.com)

Article summary

Sony has deleted hundreds of movies and TV shows from the accounts of PlayStation Store customers due to a licensing agreement fallout with StudioCanal. This is not the first time Sony has done this, with similar incidents occurring in 2022 and 2023. The company notifies customers that the content will be removed from their accounts, but does not offer refunds. The incident highlights the issue of digital ownership and the fact that customers do not truly own the content they purchase online.

Main themes

• Digital ownership
• Licensing agreements
• Consumer rights
• Gaming industry
• Copyright law
• EULAs and TOS

What commenters say

• The practice of removing purchased content from customer accounts is a clear example of why people pirate movies and TV shows.
• Companies like Sony should be required to refund customers in full when they remove access to purchased content.
• The concept of digital ownership is flawed, and customers should not be expected to read and understand complex EULAs and TOS before making a purchase.
• The removal of purchased content is a consequence of the licensing agreements between companies, and customers are caught in the middle.
• Some argue that the solution to this problem is to mandate media permanence, while others suggest that laws should require companies to allow customers to move their licenses to other platforms.
• The incident highlights the need for clearer laws and regulations regarding digital ownership and consumer rights.
• The issue is not limited to Sony, and other companies in the gaming industry have similar practices that can harm customers.
• Some commenters suggest that the age of consoles is coming to an end, and that PC gaming may become the preferred option due to the lack of control and ownership that comes with console gaming.