Red (missing from iTunes)

[ChipmunksDad]

Anyone else lose Red over the weekend? (Willis/Merrin/Malkovich) Red 2 is still there.

(Found in another thread. Mods can delete)

[huskersports]

Mine's gone too. Which thread?

[AZBrowncoat]

Maybe talking about this thread - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=213920

But if so may be helpful to have a dedicated separate thread for this particular issue as you can add "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Source Code" to the list (SLP has been replaced by a 'new/modified' version but don't see Source Code when I search for it on the iTunes store).

Here is the response I received from Apple in regards to "Silver Linings Playbook".

Hi Stanley,

Thanks for contacting us. I understand that you are having trouble re-downloading the movie you purchased before. No worries, I would gladly provide you relevant information that may help us resolve your issue.

I checked the order and it appears the movie has been modified by the content provider. Please understand that if a content provider modifies or makes changes to an item in our store, that item is unable to be re-downloaded from our system as the file is different. We do not have a way to allow you to access the new version of the movie.

I do apologize for this. That said, I encourage you to send a feedback. We take customer feedback seriously. To submit your feedback, see this page:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

I hope you have a great rest of your day. If you have more questions, just reply to this email. I’m happy to help.

Thanks,

Christian
iTunes Store Customer Support
https://support.apple.com/choose-country-region/itunes

Personally, regardless of whether from a purchase or code redemption I find this unacceptable.

[Admiral]

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

Maybe talking about this thread - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=213920

But if so may be helpful to have a dedicated separate thread for this particular issue as you can add "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Source Code" to the list.

Here is the response I received from Apple in regards to "SLP".



Personally, regardless of whether from a purchase or code redemption I find this unacceptable.

What do they mean by "new version' of the movie? I understand it's completely disappeared from the US store?

Incidentally, Red, Silver Linings Playbook and Star Trek Insurrection are all still available on Singapore iTunes. Source Code has never been available here to my knowledge.

[AZBrowncoat]

Originally Posted by Admiral

What do they mean by "new version' of the movie? I understand it's completely disappeared from the US store?

Incidentally, Red, Silver Linings Playbook and Star Trek Insurrection are all still available on Singapore iTunes. Source Code has never been available here to my knowledge.

In my case the effected title was "Silver Linings Playbook" as I never owned "Red" or "Source Code". The issue seems to mostly be effecting Lionsgate titles currently(?). Usually when a title disappears it is added back later and you still have access but in this case it seems that "Red" and possibly "Source Code" have been removed while SLP has been replaced by a new version (and the old version removed).

A troubling trend regardless that everyone needs to be aware of...everyone wants to push digital, but stuff like this doesn't exactly build confidence in the medium.

Maybe we can get a MOD to change the title to something broader as even though it fits into the other thread this could warrant it's own I think.

[AZBrowncoat]

Copying from the other thread -

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

I posted this in the itunes 4K HDR thread but wanted to post it here since some users reported it here as well.

So I just reached out to Lionsgate consumer relations about RED (2010) being removed and spoke with Shantel the supervisor, if you get a woman named vivian do not speak with her she is a rock. The # is 1-800-650-7099.

Basically they did not know about the issue, they gave me the “it’s apple” run-around but after explaining it to the supervisor she asked me for a copy of my itunes receipt via email. I also sent her a picture of the Lionsgate website where the movie is available for purchase. When you choose the digital option it shows you 6-7 digital distributers to purchase it from(amazon, google play, itunes, etc) with the links to them. The itunes link is not showing the movie in the itunes store, it shows the “item not available” message so I sent that as well.

If you had RED (2010) removed from your library please call the # above to report it. They will probably ask for a receipt so take a screenshot. Also please post any updates you have if you’ve called them or if they reach back out to you.

The more people call the quicker we may get our movie back, NO MOVIE LEFT BEHIND!

The studio for SLP is listed as 'The Weinstein Company' - anyone know if Lionsgate was the distributor?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Worst part is that the Terms & Conditions will allow them to get away with this as often as they want.

LONG LIVE PHYSICAL MEDIA!

[Admiral]

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

In my case the effected title was "Silver Linings Playbook" as I never owned "Red" or "Source Code". The issue seems to mostly be effecting Lionsgate titles currently(?). Usually when a title disappears it is added back later and you still have access but in this case it seems that "Red" and possibly "Source Code" have been removed while SLP has been replaced by a new version (and the old version removed).

A troubling trend regardless that everyone needs to be aware of...everyone wants to push digital, but stuff like this doesn't exactly build confidence in the medium.

Maybe we can get a MOD to change the title to something broader as even though it fits into the other thread this could warrant it's own I think.

Sounds like it's technical issue/ cock-up by Apple and the studio. Both are missing out on potential sales/rentals if a movie is not listed. Could be that someone has complained about a playback issue with for Red and Source Code and Apple don't have a replacement until they receive the new version from the studio.

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

Copying from the other thread -



The studio for SLP is listed as 'The Weinstein Company' - anyone know if Lionsgate was the distributor?

Here is a list of global distributers for SLP

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658...s#distributors

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Worst part is that the Terms & Conditions will allow them to get away with this as often as they want.

LONG LIVE PHYSICAL MEDIA!

We must come together and use this platform to raise awareness whenever this happens, we should get together and make a twitter account to address these issues on a more global scale, adding pressure and shining the spotlight. Yes they are allowed to hide behind the terms and conditions but that doesn’t mean we can’t use social media as a way to pressure them into doing the right thing. This is the first time this has happened thats why we have to keep the pressure on.

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

In my case the effected title was "Silver Linings Playbook" as I never owned "Red" or "Source Code". The issue seems to mostly be effecting Lionsgate titles currently(?). Usually when a title disappears it is added back later and you still have access but in this case it seems that "Red" and possibly "Source Code" have been removed while SLP has been replaced by a new version (and the old version removed).

A troubling trend regardless that everyone needs to be aware of...everyone wants to push digital, but stuff like this doesn't exactly build confidence in the medium.

Maybe we can get a MOD to change the title to something broader as even though it fits into the other thread this could warrant it's own I think.

I agree this is wrong, did you get in touch with the distributer in your region

[AZBrowncoat]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

I agree this is wrong, did you get in touch with the distributer in your region

Not yet, haven't yet determined who to contact in U.S.

Check Twitter for #nomovieleftbehind - tweeted about it under @CordCutterTalk ...please share and comment to raise awareness.

[ChipmunksDad]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Worst part is that the Terms & Conditions will allow them to get away with this as often as they want.

LONG LIVE PHYSICAL MEDIA!

My initial thought was that they were updating to a 4k and were going to put up a new file. It’s not even in the store anymore. As you said...long live physical media! Streaming is convenient for all the TVs in the house, but damn it, in my primary viewing area I don’t want a subpar product.

[Dre327]

I had purchased the Source Code in June and it was removed. When I spoke to Apple, they told me that technically we don’t really own the movies. He referred to them as unlimited rentals. For my inconvenience, they gave me 2 free rentals. Pretty much B.S.

[AZBrowncoat]

Originally Posted by Dre327

I had purchased the Source Code in June and it was removed. When I spoke to Apple, they told me that technically we don’t really own the movies. He referred to them as unlimited rentals. For my inconvenience, they gave me 2 free rentals. Pretty much B.S.

Hmm, the button clearly says "Buy" - not "Extended Rental"

Did you get that in writing (email or chat) or verbally? ...either way send a complaint to your state's Attorney General's office that Apple is misrepresenting 'rentals' as 'purchases'.



...Tweeted again under @CordCutterTalk #nomovieleftbehind - please share.

I got 2 free rentals too, as if that makes up for a missing movie.

[jakcul]

Originally Posted by Dre327

I had purchased the Source Code in June and it was removed. When I spoke to Apple, they told me that technically we don’t really own the movies. He referred to them as unlimited rentals. For my inconvenience, they gave me 2 free rentals. Pretty much B.S.

That’s why I won’t switch exclusively to digital. They claim it’s a license to watch it. You don’t “own” it, you’re paying for the “right” to watch it.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

Hmm, the button clearly says "Buy" - not "Extended Rental"

Did you get that in writing (email or chat) or verbally? ...either way send a complaint to your state's Attorney General's office that Apple is misrepresenting 'rentals' as 'purchases'.

[Show spoiler]

...Tweeted again under @CordCutterTalk #nomovieleftbehind - please share.

I got 2 free rentals too, as if that makes up for a missing movie.

Contacting the attorney general won’t do squat. The legalese in the terms & conditions for all of these digital services covers their asses from repercussion. Simply put, they have created a loophole for themselves where “rental” means you are paying for short licensing rights (1 or 2 days), and “buy” or “purchase” means you are paying for long term licensing rights (until the licensing provider no longer offers the content or the studio changes the content listing). So, even though it says “buy” and not “extended rental,” it doesn’t matter. You are still BUYING something. You are BUYING the rights to access the content while it is available from the service you purchased said right from.

It’s been a system designed to take severe advantage of the consumer without the ability to defend ones self. I imagine that studios will slowly start to replace/alternate their theatrical/director/extended/ultimate cuts of their films every few years to be able to take advantage of this loophole to try and get people to pay over and over again for the same thing... all under the guise of “a license to access.”

[Dre327]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Contacting the attorney general won’t do squat. The legalese in the terms & conditions for all of these digital services covers their asses from repercussion. Simply put, they have created a loophole for themselves where “rental” means you are paying for short licensing rights (1 or 2 days), and “buy” or “purchase” means you are paying for long term licensing rights (until the licensing provider no longer offers the content or the studio changes the content listing). So, even though it says “buy” and not “extended rental,” it doesn’t matter. You are still BUYING something. You are BUYING the rights to access the content while it is available from the service you purchased said right from.

It’s been a system designed to take severe advantage of the consumer without the ability to defend ones self. I imagine that studios will slowly start to replace/alternate their theatrical/director/extended/ultimate cuts of their films every few years to be able to take advantage of this loophole to try and get people to pay over and over again for the same thing... all under the guise of “a license to access.”

Pretty much hit the nail on the head... This is one of the reasons why owning physical copies is “King.” I have 450 movies on my iTunes account and I would say about 95% are from my digital codes that came with my blu rays or my 4K UHD’s. It just so happen that a movie that I actually “purchased” was taken down from the iTunes Store. It’s quite annoying.

[Night*Wolf]

I just received a response to my original email from Lionsgate support about RED (2010) being removed from the US itunes store. It said they are now aware of the issue and are working on a solution. They informed me that I will be contacted when it is resolved.

[AZBrowncoat]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Contacting the attorney general won’t do squat.

Sorry you feel that way as I've actually had some positive experiences contacting the Attorney General in assorted situations (AT&T, Microsoft, Daimler Chrysler). If nothing else it would get someone at Apple's attention since it would go to someone way above a CS's pay grade. And all it is is a letter, not much investment there.

The "average consumer" would likely have no understanding that "Buy" means "Buying a long-term license" so the practice is deceptive and misleading - if we don't say anything or take some sort of action than we can expect nothing to change.