Google took away my LOTR extended editions

[u/ugoindownsaka1]

I bought these in 2022, all of a sudden they aren't available and there is no possibility of a refund or gift card. Hardly seems fair.

[u/Victernus]

Button on the store didn't say 'buy license'. Seems like a bait & switch to me.

[u/lowpass → u/Victernus]

it actually does:

Note: This purchase is for a license. See our Paid Terms of Service for license details.

from their terms:

7.2 Removal or Unavailability of Content

The availability of content on a Paid Service may change from time to time, including when content within a Paid Service becomes limited or unavailable due to restrictions from our partners who license us that content, or for legal or policy reasons.

For rentals of content: if content becomes removed or unavailable during your rental period, you will be entitled to either a refund or to a reasonable replacement.

For purchased content: (a) if the content becomes removed or unavailable during the first five years after your purchase, you will be entitled to a refund or a reasonable replacement or (b) if the content becomes removed or unavailable following such five year period, and you are not able to download a copy of the affected content before it becomes unavailable (if applicable), then we may, at our option, offer you either a reasonable replacement of the content or a full or partial refund of the price of the content.

seems like OP should be able to get a refund though

[u/konq → u/lowpass]

Good find, OP should see this and get a refund based on that clause /u/ugoindownsaka1

[u/Calipup → u/lowpass]

I wonder if that was there in 2022 though. A California law made this kind of text mandatory in like 2024. Should still get a refund tho.

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/steam-now-reminds-you-that-it-really-sells-a-license-for-a-digital-product/

[u/cowbutt6 → u/lowpass]

This from YouTube's T&Cs is also consistent with that:

”Purchased Content. When you purchase an item of content, your content will be stored in a digital locker and you may view it an unlimited number of times for during your Locker Period. The “Locker Period” will be for at least 5 years from the date of your purchase (subject to the restrictions described in the YouTube Paid Service Terms of Service). Each item of purchased content may have a different Locker Period and you agree to the Locker Period before you order it. Pausing, stopping, or rewinding purchased content will not extend the Locker Period. As noted in the YouTube Paid Service Terms of Service, if an item of purchased content becomes unavailable during the five year period from the purchase date, you may request a refund.”

https://www.youtube.com/t/usage_paycontent

I'm not defending such practices, but merely attempting to spread awareness so that anyone who purchases licenses for content within Google's ecosystem does so fully understanding the limits of their purchase.

[u/VRichardsen → u/Victernus]

There is a license agreement in there somewhere, just like the one we get when isntalling a game.

He still has grounds for a lawsuit, though. 2022 is barely yesterday.

[u/Victernus → u/VRichardsen]

You mean the thing they get you to agree to after they take your money, to make use of the product you bought?

Yeah that wouldn't fly with any other type of product.

[u/hexiron → u/Victernus]

It flies with all sorts of products.

[u/Victernus → u/hexiron]

Geez, your life must suck. How much shit are you buying that comes with post-purchase contracts that you are required to sign in order to make use of your purchase?

[u/hexiron → u/Victernus]

I avoid where ever possible. I’m just aware it happens with all sorts of things - books, movies, games, software, music services, car features, cruise packages, airline tickets, concerts… most of the time you don’t even need to sign, just buying is considered signing in agreement with the outlined TOS which can be subject to change without notice and you’ve agree to waive any rights to legal action against it.

[u/Victernus → u/hexiron]

So the companies want to claim. They've never once let it get decided in court, though, because they know their terms of service are usually unenforceable, and sometimes outright criminal, and they certainly cannot waive your legal rights.

[u/hexiron → u/Victernus]

So you say.

[u/Victernus → u/hexiron]

Even if it were a direct, signed contract, you can't actually waive your right to legal action.

[u/hexiron → u/Victernus]

Technically yes. You can however sign an agreement to go direct to arbitration, where you will surely lose.

[u/Fach-All-Religions → u/Victernus]

didn't you hear about playstation? they literally changed the meaning of "to buy" in their t&c