There are three different types of digital content that you can pay money for. The first is rented, the second purchased and the last is handed over temporarily as part of a subscription.
Purchase is the wrong word for the second option, as it is more of a right to watch or access the content based on parameters set by someone else. Borrowed is a better term as it describes the transaction better.
The problem for users is that this right can be revoked at any time. The last decade is full of examples of this. To name a few: Google Stadia (digital games, refunded), Amazon Prime Video (select videos, temporary issue), Xbox 360 Store (digital games, only some playable on newer Xbox consoles), or Microsoft Store (ebooks, refunded).
Now it is Sony that can be added to the list. According to a Kotaku report, Sony is informing affected PlayStation users currently about the matter.
You bought it, we take it away
The issue affects PlayStation users who purchased TV shows on the PlayStation Store made by Discovery. Sony cites “content licensing arrangements” and tells users rather bluntly that they won’t be able to watch previously purchased Discovery content anymore going forward.
In other words, Sony removes the purchased content from the user’s PlayStation library. From January 1, 2024 on, users won’t find the purchased shows in their library anymore. They won’t be able to play the content anymore, and there is no option to mitigate the issue.
Sony’s support page lists all affected titles. Titles include MythBusters, Naked and Afraid, Outrageous Acts of Science and dozens of other shows.
Sony is not offering refunds for purchased content. This means, that users will lose access to the content without full or partial reimbursement.
The terms of service include the following paragraph that makes it clear that content may not be available indefinitely:
Access to Other Licensed Content that has been purchased may also be subject to compatibility between the Authorized Device and the video format of the Other Licensed Content, continued availability to the Other Licensed Content from our third-party licensors, and other applicable restrictions.
Digital content is only borrowed, never purchased
When you buy digital content, you borrow it only. The company that you buy it from loans it to you. There is a good chance that you may access the content indefinitely, but there is always a chance that access is removed.
This can be because of licensing changes, but also when companies decided to terminate services.
This is different when you buy physical media, especially movies or TV shows. Games may require an active Internet connection and access to a gaming Store nowadays to download data, but for most games, it still means that you own the game. Also worth noting is that you can resell physical games but not digital goods.
Here is the golden rule: if you want to access something indefinitely, buy the physical product, if available. If it is not available physically, either make the purchase knowing that you may lose access to it in the future, or skip it.
Not all content is available in physical form. This is true for all kinds of content, from TV shows and movies to games and so-called DLCs (downloadable Content).
Now You: do you buy digital content?