Rekindling The Digital Ownership Debate

PithArtist

Sorry.
- Amazon, to Kindle customers who bought digital copies of George Orwell’s “1984″ and “Animal Farm”

In an ironic twist on themes in Orwell’s most famous novel, Amazon’s e-book reader’s customers have found that what they thought they bought can be pulled out of their Kindles.

In this clip from The Daily Bruin, there’s a discussion about what happens when it’s not clear who owns which digital bits. Entire Kindle article here.

Despite the assumed right to a permanent copy of the materials they paid for, Amazon’s digital recall reached over the wireless network and reclaimed everything from unsuspecting consumers.

Unlike recalls where customers may be asked to voluntarily return their goods and relinquish their ownership, the Kindle network can be used to erase their rights overnight.

Digital ownership of an e-book through Amazon is also subject to a strict policy that prohibits any unauthorized sharing of the digital content. Its terms of service state that the Kindle owner “may not sell, rent, lease … or otherwise assign any rights to the Digital Content or any portion of it to any third party.”

These restrictions prove that digital content is not “owned” in the traditional sense of the word. Anything that belongs to me, be it a book, a desk or a video game, is something that I should be able to sell or trade whenever I want, because I have previously purchased the right to do so.