If You Can't Hold It, You Don't Own It
5 hours ago
- #digital ownership
- #media preservation
- #consumer rights
- Digital purchases are typically revocable licenses, not ownership of the files, and can be removed or altered by the store or publisher.
- Physical media (e.g., discs, cartridges, books) cannot be remotely erased, and offer resale, lending, and archival benefits.
- Digital stores and streaming services can shut down, remove content, or change policies, causing loss of access to purchased or subscribed media.
- Digital content often suffers from lower quality (e.g., compressed video/audio), censorship, or post-release edits compared to physical versions.
- Cloud services and digital accounts can be terminated or scanned, risking data loss, privacy invasion, or account bans without recourse.
- Many digital games and services require online connections or servers, which can be shut down, rendering purchases unplayable.
- Physical media preserves art, culture, and history with tangible value, collectibility, and sensory experiences, unlike ephemeral digital files.