From ebooks to videos and software, the answer is increasingly leaning towards no. Consider the cases of Amazon, Sony, and Broadcom, each exemplifying a trend where consumers discover they do not actually own what they purchase.
In 2009, Amazon removed George Orwell's classics, '1984' and 'Animal Farm,' from Kindle eReaders, asserting its ownership of users' eBooks. Despite eventually restoring the books, a precedent was set – Amazon, not the user, holds the reins. This is now clearly outlined in their copyright trademark patent policy.
More recently, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that, starting December 31, 2023, users could no longer access previously purchased Discovery video content on their PlayStations. This move left consumers frustrated, emphasizing the fleeting nature of digital ownership.
The aftermath of Broadcom's acquisition of VMware also illustrates this shift. After the deal's clearance, Broadcom terminated the sale of perpetual VMware software licenses and support, transitioning towards a subscription-only model. The trend extends to Microsoft, urging users away from permanent licenses for desktop-based Office in favor of Microsoft 365.
As ownership power tilts towards corporations, users face limited options. One recourse is reverting to traditional formats like paper books and DVDs, although challenges arise with the dwindling availability of these mediums.
Is making a personal copy a legal gray area? Not really. There may laws currently in existence that prevent personal copies. Removing Digital Rights Management (DRM) is technically illegal in many regions, even for personal use. While some exceptions exist, sharing or reselling copies remains universally illegal.
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