PlayStation Is Deleting 551 Movies from Customers' Accounts

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Nature of the “Purchase” and Licensing

  • Core complaint: the PS Store “buy/purchase” button implies permanent ownership, but users actually get a revocable streaming license that can be unilaterally removed.
  • Some argue this is inherently deceptive and should be illegal unless a clear end date or minimum term is disclosed.
  • Others counter that software and digital media have long been sold as licenses; “buying” access or rights is common (concert tickets, usage rights), and ToS usually spell this out.
  • A recurring distinction: buying a physical copy vs buying a revocable license (“buy(1)” ownership vs “buy(2)” permission).

Legal and Consumer Protection Angles

  • Suggestions: sue in small claims, push unfair-terms arguments, or rely on UK/EU‑style consumer protections where reasonable expectations of “purchase” might override fine print.
  • Others note companies can remove such cases to higher courts where procedural complexity and fee-shifting make consumers likely to lose.
  • Proposed regulation:
    • If you say “buy/own/purchase,” the license must be irrevocable for existing buyers.
    • Otherwise label it explicitly as a time‑limited or revocable license.
    • Mandate that loss of distributor rights must not void existing customer access, or require refunds.

Comparisons to Other Platforms

  • Steam is praised for generally preserving delisted games for existing owners, though some examples of removals and key revocations are cited.
  • Apple is criticized for quietly losing cloud copies of purchased/streamed content; users who downloaded files fared better.
  • Subscription services (e.g., Netflix) are seen as less egregious: content loss is expected, since nothing is “bought.”

Piracy and Self‑Hosting Responses

  • Many see this as moral justification to pirate movies, arguing that if “buying” is only renting, copying isn’t “stealing,” though others stress it remains copyright infringement.
  • Detailed discussion of self‑hosted media setups: Jellyfin/Plex/Emby, NAS boxes, seedboxes, torrents, Usenet, private trackers and backup strategies.

Physical Media, DRM, and Longevity

  • Strong renewed interest in DVDs/Blu‑rays and local backups as the only reliable way to truly “own” movies.
  • Acknowledgment that discs and players physically/technically degrade and DRM (CSS, AACS, Cinavia) complicates long‑term access; legality of ripping varies by jurisdiction.

Broader Concerns and Proposals

  • Worries about increasing consolidation of digital distribution, future “enshittification,” and even quiet content alteration or censorship.
  • Some call for open ecosystems, mandatory sideloading, DRM‑free media, and company charters or laws that prioritize durable consumer rights over studio‑friendly licensing.