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Buying a DVD is also only buying a limited license (you can't, for example, legally make copies of that DVD or use it for public performances).

Buying a blu-ray is even more of a gray area with the key schemes being fundamentally more complex and internet-updatable. It's possible the blu-ray you bought and watched last year may not work on your player anymore.

I agree that it's wrong to say you're "buying" movies from iTunes/et al, but, I'm not sure what the correct term is. Renting is wrong as it implies a definite intentional time-limited period, license seems wrong as it's too legal/contractual. What's the better word?



I could be wrong but I think you can legally make copies of a DVD you own so long as it’s only for personal use and not for distribution.


This law has a tendency to flip-flop every now and again, and is per-jurisdiction in any case




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