Why Don't Customers or Users Own Purchased Movies?

In discussions of legal and digital media, the concept of ownership often comes up. Is the movie you buy truly yours, or is it merely a license to watch it? The answer depends largely on the medium and platform through which you acquire the movie.

Ownership in Conventional Media

Videos on Physical Media (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays) represent a traditional form of movie ownership. When you purchase a DVD or Blu-ray disc, you are the legal owner of the physical object. This means you have the right to play, lend, or sell it as you wish, provided you do not violate any copyright laws. However, the actual content stored on the disc remains under copyright, and you need to respect the copyright regulations when the movie is being used.

For example, if you have a physical DVD and it breaks, you have the right to request a replacement from the vendor or manufacturer. The cost of acquisition and the terms of the sale are governed by the sales contract you entered into with the seller. You retain full physical ownership of the product, despite its limitations.

Ownership in Digital Media

With the advent of digital media, the concept of ownership becomes more nuanced. When you purchase a movie for streaming or download, you are typically acquiring a license to use the content rather than outright ownership of the media file. This means you have the right to watch the movie on the designated platform for as long as you continue to maintain a subscription or retain the rights.

Streaming Platforms (e.g., iTunes, Netflix) provide a prime example of this. When you purchase a movie for streaming on a platform like iTunes, you are not purchasing the movie itself. Instead, you are paying for a limited access license. This license allows you to watch the movie as many times as you want while you maintain an active subscription or ownership. If the platform goes out of business or changes its terms, you often lose the right to access the movie.

Non-Exclusive Licenses and DRM

Movies purchased and licensed this way are often subject to digital rights management (DRM). DRM is a form of protection that prevents the unauthorized copying, distribution, or modification of digital content. This protection is designed to ensure that the copyright owner can enforce their rights even in digital contexts.

The licenses provided by these platforms are typically non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-commercial. This means that the rights to watch the content are not transferable to someone else, and they cannot be used for commercial purposes. If you want to permanently own the content, you need to consider subscribing to a service indefinitely or find a way to break the DRM and retain the content in a format you can control, legally.

Conclusion

The distinction between ownership and licensing in the context of movies is crucial for understanding how to interact with digital media. While you can be the owner of a physical DVD or Blu-ray, when it comes to digital content, you often have a licensed right to use the content, rather than outright ownership of the media files.

Whether you want to ensure long-term access to your movies, it is important to research the terms and conditions of any subscription or purchase. By being aware of the nature of the license, you can make informed decisions about how to best retain and manage your movie collection.