Another reason to hate DRM – Google shuts off all videos
I purchased a Deep Space Nine video a long time ago as part of the Google Video store. Today I got this email stating that Google was ending its program and I would no longer be able to watch my video after August 15. Google was nice enough to give me a credit of $2 towards other stuff, but still. This is going to bring another round of people around to the understanding of why DRM is crap, and we need a better way.
Here’s the email:
Hello,
As a valued Google user, we're contacting you with some important
information about the videos you've purchased or rented from Google Video.
In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the
ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the
DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective
August 15, 2007.
To fully account for the video purchases you made before July 18, 2007, we
are providing you with a Google Checkout bonus for $2.00. Your bonus
expires in 60 days, and you can use it at the stores listed here:
http://www.google.com/checkout/signupwelcome.html. The minimum purchase
amount must be equal to or greater than your bonus amount, before shipping
and tax.
After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased
or rented videos.
If you have further questions or requests, please do not hesitate to
contact us. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
The Google Video Team
August 10th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I to received this email. Funny enough, your blog and the only other blog listed DS9 as the only video they purchased a while back… me too. 3 DS9 episodes in January of 2006. I would like a legal argument of how they can take something I thought I owned away from me and give me 0 compensation. I don’t consider 10 dollars to their site compensation, I have never used it and don’t plan on it. I smell class action lawsuit… DS9 trekies versus Google inc.
August 11th, 2007 at 6:12 am
My sympathies. Would it’ve been completely out of the question for Google to offer a DRM-free version (or equivalent) as a substitute? The service was hardly popular and it’s not as if Google couldn’t afford to take the small hit of paying for your free download for you. Giving $2 for Google Checkout seems more like easy advertising for G’s new PayPal competitor.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Is anyone surprised that Viacom owns the properties that are being revoked?
Yeah, I bought a single ST video to test the system. I forgot I had it until I got the G-Mail. When will BitTorrent start revoking all those MS-DRM’d videos they’ve been selling. I’ve bought a single unit of many DRM’d items, just for 1sthand experience with the technology. If it was really important to me, I’d own it on a silver disc. At least Google offered equivalent credit. Thinking of how much media- docs, photos/graphics, etc (most of which I created myself) is in dead formats for dead platforms, I’d say Google’s approach is at least trying to do the right thing. I blame Viacom – not Google.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
good to know that even would be rulers of the world can screw things up and give people, such as myself, the peace of mind that they are not so close to world take over.