PlayStation Is Deleting 551 Movies from Customers' Accounts

285 points · 167 comments on HN · read original →

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Sony will delete 551 StudioCanal movies from PlayStation accounts on September 1.

PlayStation is notifying users that StudioCanal-purchased content will be removed from their libraries due to licensing agreements. Affected titles include Terminator 2, Total Recall, and Rambo: First Blood. Sony offers no refunds or compensation. The notice states purchased content will be deleted, reinforcing that digital purchases are revocable licenses.

What commenters are saying

Commenters overwhelmingly argue that calling digital purchases 'buy' or 'own' is misleading when content can be revoked. One camp calls for legal requirements to disclose minimum availability periods or use clearer language. Another notes that all software is licensed, not sold, and that terms of service already permit this. Some suggest refunds should be mandatory when access is terminated.