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If you can't hold it, you don't own it

Original article
dervis.de|223 points|146 comments|by cemdervis|Jun 27, 2026

If You Can't Hold It, You Don't Own It

The Case for Physical Media Ownership

By Cem Dervis

The modern digital marketplace operates on a fundamental deception: the word "Buy." When a consumer clicks a button to purchase a movie, game, or ebook, they aren't typically acquiring property; they are paying for a revocable license. This distinction is the core of the argument for physical media.

The Illusion of Ownership

In the digital realm, DRM (Digital Rights Management) ensures that the provider retains control. While a physical book or Blu-ray remains on your shelf regardless of a company's corporate policy, digital assets are subject to the whims of the provider.

Comparison of Access Models:

FeaturePhysical Media (Disc/Book/Cartridge)Digital "Purchase" (License)
ControlUser-ownedProvider-controlled
PersistencePermanent (unless destroyed)Revocable via TOS
RequirementsHardware onlyAccount, Password, 2FA, Internet
ResaleLegal & PossibleGenerally prohibited
StabilityIndependent of server statusDependent on server uptime

Legal Battlegrounds and the "First-Sale" Doctrine

The legal system has largely sided with corporations over consumers regarding digital ownership.

The First-Sale Doctrine: This legal principle allows the owner of a lawfully made physical copy of a copyrighted work to sell or lend that copy without the copyright holder's permission.

However, this does not translate to the digital world:

  • ReDigi (2011): A startup attempted to create a "used" market for iTunes tracks. Capitol Records sued, and by December 2018, the US Court of Appeals ruled that the first-sale doctrine does not apply to digital files.
  • Amazon Lawsuits:
    • A 2022 class action in Washington accused Amazon of fraud for using a "Buy" button for revocable licenses.
    • A 2020 California case was dismissed because the plaintiff hadn't actually lost access yet (lacking "standing").
    • In August 2025, Lisa Reingold sued after losing access to content she paid \20.79$ for.

The Economics of Resale

Physical media possesses inherent secondary-market value. A vinyl record or a game cartridge can be traded or sold to recover a portion of the initial cost. In contrast, digital licenses are locked to a specific account.

The Reality of Content Removal

The danger of digital-only libraries is not theoretical; it is a frequent occurrence.

📺 Streaming & Video

  • Disney+: Between 2023 and 2025, Disney purged dozens of titles to cut costs.
    • In 2023, they took a \text{loss} = \1.5\text{ billion}$ impairment charge after removing 50+ titles (e.g., Willow and Crater).
    • Crater (budget: \54\text{M}$) was removed just 48 days after its May 12, 2023 release.
    • September 2024 saw the removal of Togo and A Small Light.
  • HBO Max/Discovery: Removed 87 titles in 2022-2023, including Summer Camp Island and Infinity Train (though the latter later appeared on Tubi/Max).
  • Paramount+: Canceled and deleted Star Trek: Prodigy on June 23, 2023. While Netflix later acquired it, users lost their original viewing history.
  • Amazon Prime Video: Has deleted "purchased" content from libraries once licensing deals expired, despite confirmation emails sent to users.

🎮 Gaming

The gaming industry is particularly volatile due to licensing agreements.

  • Sony PlayStation:
    • In 2021, Sony threatened to remove Discovery content, though they reversed this after a public outcry.
    • In June 2026, UK users were told Studio Canal titles would vanish on September 1, 2026. (Germany and Austria lost this content back in 2022).
    • The Silent Hills demo (removed 2015) became a rarity; some attempted to sell "installed" consoles on eBay for >\1,500$ before eBay blocked the listings.
  • Licensing Expirations:
    • The World: The Game vanished in 2014; a remaster didn't arrive until 2021.
    • Deadpool (Activision) was delisted in 2013, returned in 2015, and delisted again in 2017.
  • Corporate Shifts:
    • Telltale Games: Many titles vanished after the company's 2018 collapse.
    • Rockstar Games: In October 2021, the original PC versions of GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas were removed to push the "Definitive Edition."
      • This broke community mods and save files.
      • The remaster removed ≈24\approx 24 licensed songs (16 from San Andreas, 8 from Vice City).
      • Originals were eventually restored, but only via Rockstar's proprietary launcher.

Summary Checklist for True Ownership

If you want to ensure your media survives the next decade, ask these questions:

  • Do I possess a physical copy?
  • Can I access this without an internet connection?
  • Does this work without a username and password?
  • Can I sell this to a friend tomorrow?
  • Is this independent of a Terms of Service agreement?

If the answer to any of these is "No," you are not the owner; you are a buyer tenant.

Physical Media Concept

Final Thought: The "Buy" button is a misnomer. In the digital age, Payment≠Ownership\text{Payment} \neq \text{Ownership}. If you cannot physically hold the object, you are merely renting it until the provider decides otherwise.