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Movie Piracy 'Alternative' UltraViolet is Shutting Down - TorrentFreak
When UltraViolet was first launched eight years ago, it was portrayed as a convenient alternative to piracy.
The cloud-based service, backed by major Hollywood studios, allows users to store digital copies of purchased films and TV-shows, which they can then easily access on various platforms and devices.
In the years that followed UltraViolet amassed over 30 million users, but in recent times things went downhill. The number of supported retailers slowly started to drop and this week parent organization DECE threw in the towel, Variety reports.
According to the official announcement, the planned closure on July 31 was triggered by “market factors” including the rise of new platforms.
“In the years since UltraViolet's launch, we've seen the emergence of services that provide expanded options for content collection and management independent of UltraViolet. This and other market factors have led to the decision to discontinue UltraViolet,” the statement reads.
[...] The good news is that in ‘most’ cases, users can still redeem their UltraViolet codes through the retailers which are still operating. This includes VUDU, Kaleidescape, and Sony Pictures.
“In most cases, we anticipate very little impact,” DECE notes. “While there could be some disruption, we do not anticipate this on a broad scale and are working diligently to minimize and avoid such instances.”
(Score: 2) by Apparition on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:15AM (2 children)
It's a trade off. I currently "own" about sixty films in 4K Ultra HD, 150 films in 1080p, and 100 television seasons in 1080p spread between Vudu and Amazon Prime Video. I realize that I don't actually own the movies and television shows, but heck, according to the MPAA I wouldn't actually own them on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray discs or Blu-Ray discs either. And video streaming sure as Hell beats storing all of those 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray or Blu-Ray discs, watching the forced FBI warnings and commercials at the start of each disc, changing out discs, or ripping the discs (which, last I heard, was still very difficult if not impossible for 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray discs), buying and maintaining two or three 6 TB hard drives to back it all up on, etc.
As long as I keep access to the videos I paid for fore more than three years (which I already have for the majority of the content I bought in 1080p), I consider it a win. Should the service go down or become unavailable (which I find extremely difficult for Amazon and Walmart in my lifetime), then I'll just go buy them again somewhere else.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Freeman on Thursday February 07 2019, @04:14PM
Yeah, but the MPAA can't legally take the Ultra HD Blu-Ray discs or Blu-ray discs from you or bar you from reselling them. Whereas, if you "buy" an Amazon Prime or Vudu video, then you are giving up those consumer protections. Since, I'm quite sure neither of those platforms have contracts/terms of use that give you perpetual access to the content. You have access to your 100+ televisions seasons, and 150 films, for as long as Amazon Prime / Vudu care to let you. In fact, they likely have various scenarios where they can legally revoke access to specific content and / or revoke your access to their service.
A video service like GOG would be extremely awesome, but is unlikely to exist anytime soon. The studios would literally have to be bleeding money and be grasping at any possible lifeline to even think about a GOG like service.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday February 07 2019, @04:21PM
I buy Blu-Ray/DVD combo packs whenever I can, if I care enough to buy the video(s). That way, I can essentially play it anywhere. DVD at the parents house and Blu-Ray at my house. Beyond that, there are other options for entertainment that don't involve me trying to watch a video on a normal 6" screen.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"