Sony’s DRM: Download Twice, That’s It
- Scribbled on September 22nd, 2008 by Jonah Falcon
- Filed in PlayStation Network, Sony PlayStation 3, WTF
Arstechnica is reporting Sony’s draconian DRM regarding PlayStation Store movies that are purchased: you can only download it twice, and then you’re screwed.
The PlayStation 3 support page is perfectly clear on this matter. “Purchased content can be downloaded to a single PLAYSTATION 3 or a single PSP system,” it reads. “Content cannot be redownloaded once it has been downloaded to either a PLAYSTATION 3 or PSP system.” You’re allowed to keep the content on one system, and you can move it to up to three PSP systems, but if you have to delete the content for any reason, it’s gone? Sort of. Lincoln Davis, who handles media relations for the PlayStation Network, told Ars that you are in fact allowed one extra download, but you have to contact Sony. “If a consumer deletes a purchased movie from their PS3, they will not be able to redownload the movie without assistance from SCEA’s consumer services,” he told Ars. “Consumer service can issue a redownload as a one-time courtesy, as provided by our guidelines, for the title to allow the consumer to go back and download the movie from their PSN download list.
Part of this is due, of course, to the fact you can use any external hard drive with the PlayStation 3. You can see the problems that might invite.
This is in stark contrast to Xbox Live Marketplace, which allows you to download purchased content as much as you like – so long as your account and your console are registered together correctly. Considering the outrage over Spore’s DRM…
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