FANS of Amazon’s streaming service have been warned of a snag that affects millions of customers.
The tech giant is facing scrutiny over purchases of digital content on its platform.
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Many viewers will likely assume that if they click the option to “buy” a digital film via Amazon, they will own it indefinitely.
But a case currently going through US courts suggests this isn’t really how it works.
The Hollywood Reporter has reported that a proposed class action lawsuit alleges Amazon misleads customers around this.
Instead of purchasing the film itself, what customers are actually buying is a licence to watch.
This licence can be revoked at any time, the Hollywood Reporter reported.
It isn’t the first time that Amazon has come under fire over these claims.
The streaming giant faced a similar lawsuit back in 2020 over its alleged practice of potentially deleting purchased films.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Amazon argued its terms and conditions made this clear from the get go.
But the fresh litigation revolves around whether the company breaches now tighter consumer protection laws in California.
Amazon was contacted for comment by The Sun.
When purchasing a film on Prime Video this way, the platform says: “By ordering or viewing, you agree to our Terms.”
These terms set out: “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.”
This represents a substantial shift from the days of physical home media.
Anyone who bought a VHS, DVD or Blu-Ray would own that copy indefinitely.
