Playstation 3 Has Strict Video Rental DRM
Posted 09/25/08 at 04:00:14 PM | by Paul Lilly
We don't know what it is about Sony and DRM, but the company just seems intent on unnecessarily pissing off customers. For those who might have thought the whole rootkit fiasco would turn out to be a learning experience for Sony, well, guess again.
This time its console junkies who plan to download movies who have reason to be angry. On the Playstation 3's support page, the terms state that purchased "content cannot be re-downloaded once it has been downloaded to either a PLAYSTATION 3 or PSP system." That means if you run out of room and delete content to make room for new flicks or upgrade to a bigger hard drive, you're hosed. Sort of.
"If a consumer deletes a purchased movie from their PS3, they will not be able to redownload the movie without assistance from SCEA's consumer services," said Lincoln Davis, who handles media relations for the Playstation Network, in a statement to Arstechnica. "Consumer service can issue a redownload as a one-time courtesy, as provided by our guidelines, for the title to allow the consumer to go back and download the movie from their PSN download list."
In other words, you get a one-time do-over, should you need it, which requires jumping through a hoop. To be fair, Sony may not be entirely at fault and it could be the content providers who are pushing the issue. But no matter who's really to blame, as is always the case with DRM, it's the paying customer who ultimately gets the shaft.
Who do you blame more, the studios or Sony? Hit the jump and sound off.
Image Credit: Kotaku
Comments
Print
Email
Just what we needed...
Submitted by bcweir on Thu, 2008-09-25 23:27
...........yet another reason to NOT buy a PS3! As if cost, reliability, lack of good games, and sheer UNOBTAINABILITY weren't enough to drive would-be game buyers right into Microsoft's and Nintendo's arms! Keep your freaking rootkits and your DRM, Sony!
Hypothecally, if I were a
Submitted by b_boy_69_00 on Thu, 2008-09-25 15:41
Hypothecally, if I were the pirating type I would only pirate stuff that has this on it (Read Spore, music, other stuff like that). I shouldn't have to go thorugh all the crap they say is to prevent the same thing I would be doing. It's like buying a car and them saying you can't let anyone else drive it because you paid for it. Once it is paid for it is your property and you should be able to do with it what you please. And if I feel like deleting the movie every night and downloading it back the next day I should have that right because I paid for it.
Submitted by TheZomb on Thu, 2008-09-25 14:18
As DRM goes it all sucks, but certain kinds really suck. The kind where you can't back it up and you get a one time redownload really suck. Sony could have easily tied the DRM to the console that downloaded it and allowed redownloads to sate the movie industry,(like on xbox live) but they didn't. Sony's completely onboard with screwing its customers. They both don't care at all about consumers only their money. Even Microsoft is more consumer friendly in this respect. In fact you can even download on multiple xboxs because the download is tied to your xbox live account not your console. Way to go MS
Submitted by MrNaPaLm32 on Thu, 2008-09-25 14:39
just as much as the MPAA does. Its quite funny how DRM is so easily removed by those who don't pay for it but the users who buy it get screwed. Its like when you buy a DVD and you get that 'you wouldn't do *insert crime* so why steal a DVD' nonsense while those that illegally download it don't.
RESOURCE CENTER
KICK ASS OFFERS
MOST COMMENTED ARTICLES
THIS MONTH's ISSUE 
FEATURE Awesome Upgrades: The best PC upgrades in every price range.HOW TO Connect your PC to your surround-sound audio systemProtect Your PC We put 10 of the most popular antivirus programs to the test to see which will protect you best. Android Revealed Find out how the Google-powered HTC G1 stacks up against its rivals.
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2008 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.