Do You Really Own Your Digital Movies, Music, and Games?
No, you generally do not own the digital movies, music, and games you buy—you own a license to use them under specific terms. When you purchase a digital file or download, you are actually acquiring a limited, non-transferable license from the seller, not the copyright or full ownership rights. This distinction matters because it affects your ability to resell, share, and even keep access to your purchases.
What “Buying� Digital Content Actually Means
When you buy a physical book, DVD, or game disc, you own that particular copy. Under the first-sale doctrine, you can resell it, lend it, or even destroy it. Digital purchases, however, are treated differently. The seller grants you a license to use the content, and that license is governed by the terms of service you agree to when you create an account or complete a purchase. These terms typically state that you do not receive ownership of the content itself, only a right to access it for personal, non-commercial use.
For example, Apple’s Media Services Terms state that your purchases are licensed, not sold. Amazon’s Kindle Store Terms similarly explain that digital content is licensed to you. These licenses are often non-transferable, meaning you cannot sell or give away your digital library in the way you could a box of old paperbacks.
How Digital Rights Management (DRM) Enforces Limits
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is the technology that enforces these license restrictions. It can limit how many devices you can play a movie on, prevent copying, or require an online check before content becomes accessible. Game platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and console stores use DRM to tie purchases to your account. This means you can only play your games while logged into that account, and you cannot resell them.
DRM also explains why some older digital purchases become inaccessible. If a service shuts down or a platform loses the rights to a title, the content may be removed from your library. For example, when the streaming service Ultraviolet closed in 2019, users lost access to their purchased movies unless they had linked them to a compatible retailer. This is a direct consequence of licensing, not ownership.
What Happens When a Store or Platform Shuts Down
When a digital storefront closes, your purchases can vanish. This has happened with several services: Microsoft closed its eBook store in 2019, and users’ books were refunded and removed. Sony announced in 2021 that it would close the PlayStation Store for PS3, PSP, and PS Vita, though it later reversed the decision after public backlash. In each case, consumers had paid for content that they did not actually own.
Even when a store stays open, titles can be delisted due to expired music or movie licenses. For instance, a song might disappear from your download library if the record label pulls it from the store. This is rare, but it highlights the fragility of digital ownership.
Can You Resell or Gift Your Digital Purchases?
Generally, no. Most digital licenses are non-transferable. You cannot sell your Steam account or your iTunes movie collection. Some platforms allow gifting, but that is typically limited to new purchases, not reselling what you already own. The only exceptions are services like the now-defunct ReDigi, which attempted to resell used digital music, but it was sued by Capitol Records and lost. The court ruled that reselling a digital file requires reproducing it, which violates copyright.
How to Protect Your Digital Purchases
If you want to minimize the risk of losing access, you have a few options:
- Buy DRM-free content from stores like GOG.com for games or Bandcamp for music. These files are not tied to an account and can be backed up freely.
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage. Even if a store closes, you can keep playing or watching what you have downloaded.
- Check the license terms before purchasing. Look for words like “non-transferable� or “personal use only.�
- Prefer physical media for items you truly want to own, such as Blu-rays or game discs, though note that some discs also require online activation.
Physical vs. Digital: The Real Trade-Off
Physical media gives you more ownership rights but is less convenient. A Blu-ray can be resold, but you have to store it and swap discs. Digital content is instantly accessible but tied to a platform. Some games now ship with a disc that is essentially a license key, requiring a download and online check, blurring the line even further. For music, CDs are nearly obsolete, but high-quality digital files from DRM-free stores offer a middle ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my digital library to my heirs?
Mostly no. Since your accounts are non-transferable, your family cannot legally inherit your Steam or iTunes library. Some services, like Apple, have a Legacy Contact feature that allows access to your account after death, but it does not transfer ownership—it merely grants access. For DRM-free files, you can pass on the physical storage device.
Is it legal to rip a DVD I own?
Ripping a DVD you own is a gray area. In the US, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibits circumventing copy protection, even for personal use. However, the Librarian of Congress has granted exemptions for certain cases, such as when the format is obsolete. In practice, ripping for personal backup is common, but it is not clearly legal in all jurisdictions.
What happens if I get banned from a platform?
If your account is banned for violating terms of service, you typically lose access to all purchases associated with that account. This is a risk of digital licensing. There have been cases of users losing thousands of dollars in games after a ban. To mitigate this, avoid sharing accounts or using cheats, and keep receipts.
Are there any countries where digital ownership is recognized?
The European Union has debated the issue, and some consumer groups have argued that software should be treated as a sale, not a license. In 2012, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that reselling used software licenses is legal, but this applies to software, not music or movies. For most digital content, the license model remains dominant worldwide.
Does buying a game on a disc mean I own it?
Not necessarily. Many modern game discs require an internet connection and a platform account to install and play. The disc may only contain a partial install, with the rest downloaded. In such cases, you still have a license, not full ownership. If the platform shuts down, even disc-based games can become unplayable.
Can I transfer my Steam games to another person?
No. Steam’s subscriber agreement explicitly states that accounts are non-transferable. You cannot sell or gift your existing games. The only way to give someone a game is to buy it as a gift for them directly.
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