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Home › Pay › Nickel-and-dime tactics › Digital “ownership”
Paying again for what you already have

You clicked Buy, but you may not own it

When you click Buy on a digital movie, ebook or game, you usually get a license to use it, not ownership. If the seller loses the rights or shuts down a service, your purchase can disappear or stop working. Some smart devices work the same way: if the maker ends support, the device you paid for may stop working too.

Where you’ll see it

Movies that leave your libraryDigital movie stores sell licenses. If a store loses the rights to a title, some buyers have found that movies they paid for were removed from their libraries.
Ebooks that can be changed or removedEbook stores can update or remove books from your device in some cases, and you usually cannot resell or freely lend a digital book the way you could a paper copy.
Games that need company serversSome games need the maker's online servers to run. When those servers shut down, even the single-player part of a game you paid for may stop working.
Spotify Car Thing stopped workingSpotify told owners in May 2024 that its Car Thing dashboard device would stop working after December 9, 2024. Buyers had paid about $90, and Spotify later said it would refund buyers with proof of purchase.
Smart home gear tied to an appSome smart home devices depend on the maker's app and cloud service. If the company drops support or closes, features can stop working even though the hardware is fine.
Accounts that lock everythingIf a store account is closed or you are locked out, you can lose access to everything you bought through it, since the purchases are tied to the account.

What it really costs them

Selling a digital copy costs very little once the movie, book or game exists, because there is nothing to print or ship. Yet digital prices are often close to physical prices, even though you usually cannot resell, lend or keep the item if the store loses the rights. Keeping old servers or devices running costs money, so ending support saves the company money.

To be fair, licensing deals, servers and support do cost money, and a company cannot run old services forever. The issue is when a store says Buy but you really get something that can be taken away.

How to spot it

  • The store says Buy, but the terms say license.
  • A game or device needs an online account or internet connection to work.
  • The product page does not say how long updates or service will last.
  • There is no way to download a copy you can keep offline.
  • You cannot lend, resell or give the item away.
  • Fine print says the seller can remove or change content.

What you can do

  1. Read the terms before buying to see whether you get a license or a download you can keep.
  2. Buy physical copies, like discs or paper books, for things you want to keep long term.
  3. Choose stores that let you download files you can keep offline when available.
  4. Before buying a smart device, check how long the maker promises support.
  5. Ask for a refund if a device or game stops working soon after purchase.
  6. Report misleading Buy language to your state attorney general or the FTC.
Things you can say:
  • “Am I buying this, or getting a license to use it?”
  • “Can I download a copy to keep offline?”
  • “How long will this device be supported?”

Rules and your rights

California's AB 2426, signed in 2024 and in effect since 2025, says online stores selling digital games, movies, music and ebooks may not use words like buy or purchase unless they clearly tell you that you are getting a license that can be revoked, or get your acknowledgment of that. It does not apply to permanent offline downloads. Outside California, these sales are generally legal if the terms are disclosed, and misleading claims can be reported to the FTC or your state attorney general.

Related common problems

Related guides

Common questions

Do I own a digital movie I bought online?

Usually not. Most digital stores sell you a license to watch the movie through their service. If the store loses the rights or closes, the movie may be removed. A disc you can play on any player, or a file you can download and keep, gives you more control over what you paid for.

Can a company take back a digital game or ebook?

In some cases, yes. Many licenses let the seller remove or change content, and online games can stop working when servers shut down. California now requires stores to clearly say when you are getting a license that can be revoked, rather than simply calling it a purchase.

What can I do if a device I bought stops working because support ended?

Contact the company and ask for a refund or replacement, and check whether it has announced one. If you paid by card recently, you may be able to dispute the charge. You can also report the problem to the FTC or your state attorney general if the device was sold in a misleading way.

Had this happen? Sharing what you were charged helps others spot it.

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Sources: ABC7 News: Gov. Newsom signs law forcing digital stores to admit you're buying media licenses ↗ · TechCrunch: Spotify to shut off Car Thing for good ↗ · TechCrunch: Spotify begins offering Car Thing refunds ↗

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Practices and prices change; check the business’s current terms. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.