Class-action accuses Prime Video of misrepresenting digital ownership

A proposed class-action filed in a Washington federal court alleges that Amazon Prime Video misleads customers by presenting digital movie and TV show purchases as true owned products when, in fact, buyers receive only a revocable license to view. The suit argues that the licensing model means access can be revoked at any time if rights holders or distributors lose the rights to a title, potentially causing recently purchased titles to disappear from a viewer’s library. The case comes amid growing legislation and public scrutiny over what consumers are actually buying in the digital marketplace.

Under the prevailing digital-purchase model, buyers do not obtain permanent ownership of a film or show. Instead, they acquire a license to view, which can be updated or replaced with different cuts, and can be pulled entirely if licensing arrangements change. The complaint points to the confirmation page, where a line states that the buyer “receives a license to the video and you agree to our terms.” Critics say that the critical caveat is buried in fine print and that the primary message—“buy”—implies permanent ownership, not a revocable license.

The plaintiffs argue that Amazon’s...