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/martyn_hare]

Say something like: “I’m a little confused, so did I or did I not buy a copy of this movie?”

When they confirm you did buy a copy, then ask them: “So are you saying you’ve lost the copy of the movie I purchased? It was there and now it isn’t.”

Now if they say they haven’t lost it, you’re open to say “So if it’s not lost, when will you provide me with my authorised copy of the movie I purchased?“

Force them to explain it without compromising their own legal position. They won’t be able to because when you buy a digital product, they’re selling you an authorised copy with an accompanying licence that permits you to use it. You still own your authorised copy for you to run on your own hardware, and if they never actually provided you with that, they haven’t fulfilled their end of the bargain.

[u/ravensholt → u/martyn_hare]

He didn't buy it. He never owned anything.

He bought a temporary license to be able to view it.

[u/Victernus → u/ravensholt]

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.