Updated by Kaley Torres - Contact Author
What? You Don’t Own What You Purchased on Amazon Prime Video?
When you purchase a movie or TV show on Prime Video, you actually don't own it as you're really paying for a limited license for on-demand viewing. That's what Amazon stated to dismiss a lawsuit on Monday of late October. According to Hollywood Reporter, Amazon fileded a motion on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit alleging unfair competition and false advertising. This motion claims Amanda Caudel, the plaintiff in the case hasn't been injured because of its terms of service.
Who Owns Purchased Amazon Prime Video Contents?
The new version of Amazon Prime Video terms of use clearly indicate that the users are purchasing a limited license for on-demand viewing over an indefinite period of time, as follows:
"Availability of Purchased Digital Content. Purchased Digital Content will generally continue to be available to you for download or streaming from the Service, as applicable, but may become unavailable due to potential content provider licensing restrictions or for other reasons, and Amazon will not be liable to you if Purchased Digital Content becomes unavailable for further download or streaming."
You see, if the content provider requires to take the media off the shelves on Prime Video, your purchased content will be unavailable for download and streaming.
Is It Still a Wise Option to Purchase Prime Video Titles?
Amazon Prime Video customers has a strong reaction to this Prime Video limited license. Many users scoffed that Amazon should replace the "Buy" button to "Extended Rental License". After all, they’re only allowed to access the media, and won't be notified when Amazon purchase video unavailable due to content provider licensing restrictions or whatever. Some others indictaes that they will not buy Prime video titles anymore. And only a small part of users don't mind that rule.
Here are some views from Prime Video users:
Should You Reconsider Purchasing Physical DVD Discs?
As above, some users mentioned that they have been hoarded physical DVD discs still to own the movie content forever. Definitely, it's a very good choice. Compared to pay continually for Prime Video but never own it, you only need to pay for physical DVD disc once but own it forever.
For example, you really like the movie "Inception", and you're planning to watch it again. There are two options: purchase and stream it on Amazon Prime Video which could be unavailable if the content prvider quit the service or buy a physical DVD but you really own it. Which one would you choose?
For me, the DVD disc without doubt. Some of you may still sit on the fence since watching DVD is not as convenient as watching digital HD movies. And DVD discs are frail to be scratched or damaged. Actually, this is not a big issue. Nowadays, you're recommended to convert DVD to digital to make DVD playback and storage easier. All you need is a DVD ripping software like WinX DVD Ripper Platinum.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum - Convert DVD Discs to Digital Formats for Easier Playback & Storage
- Accept any types of DVDs, regardless of new, regional, scratched or non-standard DVD.
- Rip DVD to MP4, MKV, VOB or other formats for smart TVs, computer, Android, iPhone, iPad.
- 1:1 backup DVD movie to DVD folder, ISO image, MPEG2 winthin 5 minutes.