iTunes Library SD/HD/4k - What do I own?

[ManOfTheForest]

Originally Posted by -Gonzo-

The ownership issue isn’t just an iTunes issue, it’s a Digital Content issue altogether.
You pretty much own the lease to the content with the vendor you made the purchase but do not own the actual content itself.
Here’s a couple of articles about this very issue.
http://www.latimes.com/business/laza...nap-story.html

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...igital-content

So can we lose the movies and TV shows we have purchased through iTunes?

I've lost the extras on some films a couple of years ago but iTunes Support assured me that such issues were resolved and that while studios can alter the content of the extras packages they can't remove them or the films from our accounts.

At least, that is how I understood their explanation at the time.

[-Gonzo-]

Originally Posted by ManOfTheForest

So can we lose the movies and TV shows we have purchased through iTunes?

I've lost the extras on some films a couple of years ago but iTunes Support assured me that such issues were resolved and that while studios can alter the content of the extras packages they can't remove them or the films from our accounts.

At least, the s how I understood their explanation at the time.

If the studio removes content completely from Apples servers then yes you could lose it completely unless you download and store on a hard drive via iTunes.
I have seen some complain of music albums which have been removed which they no longer have access to.
I’ve got the Constantine TV Series which although it has been removed for purchase I do still have access to it.
I guess it just all depends on what agreements are in place.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by ManOfTheForest

So can we lose the movies and TV shows we have purchased through iTunes?

This has been discussed many times already. In theory, the terms of use you agree to when signing up for the service allow the removal of content from your library. In practice, it (almost) never happens. Personally I am pretty confident it will remain a rare exception, since the studios and Apple/Amazon/Vudu etc. know that users would lose trust and it would ruin the sell-through business if that was a common occurrence. If you are really concerned about this, you can always download and back up your stuff with iTunes.

The other side of the coin is that the studios can also *add* additional value to digital content after your purchase, such as new extras, alternative versions, or HD/4K upgrades. That is quite common on iTunes.

[analogueghost]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

This has been discussed many times already. In theory, the terms of use you agree to when signing up for the service allow the removal of content from your library. In practice, it (almost) never happens. Personally I am pretty confident it will remain a rare exception, since the studios and Apple/Amazon/Vudu etc. know that users would lose trust and it would ruin the sell-through business if that was a common occurrence. If you are really concerned about this, you can always download and back up your stuff with iTunes.

The other side of the coin is that the studios can also *add* additional value to digital content after your purchase, such as new extras, alternative versions, or HD/4K upgrades. That is quite common on iTunes.

Agreed. After reading this article about the genesis of MA ( https://www.mediaplaynews.com/bettin...vies-anywhere/ - very interesting read) the primary objective of the service is to build a value proposition for consumers and to build trust in sell through products. Which has worked, at least for myself and my brother, who have gone from "I'll buy it and redeem the code" to "it's $5 on streaming in 4k with all the special features from the $20 disc. I'll buy it, add it to my family library, and if I REALLY love it I'll buy the disc when it's $5 and sell the code for $2 or $3."

Needless to say, our digital collections have ballooned between iTunes 4k adoption and the launch of MA.