Do you own content purchased from Google Video? Not anymore you don't

[noclip]

Google is closing its video store and is giving customers the shaft as a going-away present.

Hello,

As a valued Google user, we're contacting you with some important
information about the videos you've purchased or rented from Google Video.
In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the
ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the
DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective
August 15, 2007.

After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased
or rented videos.

This is about as good an illustration as you can get of what's wrong with DRM.

[mitsubishi]

They can't possible mean stuff which you have legally bought is now "unbought" without refund. This would be like Toyota calling you up to say they'd had a think about the car you bought last year and they've decided that they are reclaiming it and will lease it to you if you want. Or the waiter at McDonalds coming over to your table and reaching down your throat for your burger.

What was Google's philosophy again? "Be as evil as Apple"....?

[noclip]

mitsubishi:

They're offering a discount for Google Checkout purchases that expires in 60 days, and only if the purchase costs more than the discount.

[Dark Shikari]

1. Strip the DRM now.

2. ???

3. Profit!

[foxyshadis]

Kind of par for most of the VoD services that spring up, but I'd have never expected Google to go DIVX on everyone.

[Doobie]

"After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased .. videos."

Circuit City Divx owners have been there. The movies they bought in the format can no longer be watched.

[HyperHacker]

Where did you see this notice? I don't see anything about it on video.google.com.

[Gerard V]

Hmmm. I cannot find anything from google itself but there is lots of buzz about this. The most authoratative reference I found was from the new york times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/11/technology/11google.html?em&ex=1186977600&en=a8f098b4b1456018&ei=5087%0A. Their terms of service do have this interesting clause: 13. Termination of Service

We may, in our sole and absolute discretion without liability to you or any third party, terminate your use of the Service for any reason, including without limitation inactivity or violation of this Terms of Service or other policies we may establish from time to time.

Upon termination of your use of the Service, you remain liable for all Payment Transactions and any other obligations you have incurred. Upon termination, we have the right to prohibit your access to the Service, including without limitation by deactivating your username and password, and to refuse future access to the Service by you (or your relatives or known acquaintances or if a business entity, its parent, affiliates or subsidiaries or its or their successors).


But on the face of it I can still sign up and buy a video.

[smileBhappy]

yup, they have coverd thier asses, nothing you can do

[chromium]

The consumer is so stupid ...

[communist]

If true - this is half way good. Especially because someone with the size of Google is behind it. As usual when I argue against systems where I'm at the mercy of remote servers (like for ex. VALVe's STEAM) they're quick to point out "ah Valve is so big - and there are so many people connected to STEAM, they would never do it...". You gotta love it when you need to connect to the internet to authenticate or 'activate' single player games that have no multiplayer or internet features to begin with. Everyone who 'bought' stuff should at least now be extra cautious when paying for DRM'ed material.

[shevegen]

Sorry to say guys, and actually where I live we have sane rights where a company like Google couldnt come out that easy but still ... its users own fault to trust a big company handle anything.

Evil my a** ... It used to be a nice slogan, now its a pun with a twinkle on it ;>