presence06 Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 For all the talk from the entertainment industry about how anti-copyright Google is, it's really quite amazing to see how the company seems to bend over backwards on most issues to please copyright holders at the expense of users. The latest is the news (submitted by a few folks) that Google's annoying movie rental offering won't work on rooted Android devices, because of Google's fear that it could get around the DRM of the movie service. Of course, this is silly. All of that content is already available from unauthorized sites. Purposely punishing those who want to buy but who use more open devices is pretty counterproductive. TechDirt Another source: We can't make this up people. According to Google, who gets to make the rules since it's their service, rooted devices are not supported by the Android Markets new movie rental service "due to requirements related to copyright protection". You'll even see a specific error message when you attempt to try -- "Failed to fetch license for [movie title] (error 49)". So now people who root their phones, whether to get rid of the crap "open" that's forced down their throats, or to have a current version of Android, are punished and lumped in with folks who steal movies. Nice move, Google. That makes me want to buy more of your products and use more of your services, so I can be treated like a criminal just because I'm smart enough to get rid of CityID, or want a safe version of Android on my phone. And of course, I'd much rather steal movies streamed with a poor bitrate at a low resolution to my phone than use Google to search out any of the thousands of places where I could steal them using my computer. Facepalm. Of course, the Android community will find a way around this. I already have some ideas, and I'm sure others will, too. But we shouldn't have to. And once we do, I'll download one (and only one) movie from the Market for the satisfaction of defeating this stupid move by Google, then be sure to never use the service again. Redbox doesn't care if I want to run a custom ROM on my phone, so they'll get my $4.00. Android Central Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digitalx Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Well it's only in the US so who cares... pirate away since the world doesn't exist outside the US according to the US media industry. Outside north america is no mans land :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasethebase Reporter Posted May 24, 2011 Reporter Share Posted May 24, 2011 It's a legitimate reason that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
presence06 Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 It's a legitimate reason that's for sure. Yea. It's not a terrible thing. Besides, I'm sure the community will find a way around it anyways. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick H. Supervisor Posted May 24, 2011 Supervisor Share Posted May 24, 2011 Neowin's Front Page article. I agree that it's a legitimate reason, but there is nothing stopping someone from "acquiring" the film and just copying it over to their device. All this appears to do is turn those that were going to rent the film/tv show to going through other methods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted May 24, 2011 Member Share Posted May 24, 2011 It's a legitimate reason that's for sure. I agree. I really doubt that many users root anyway. I never have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Smally Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 I would probably root it anyways. I buy movies when I can, otherwise, I just rent them on Redbox for $1. I have rather have my phone preform at a higher & fast level than watch a couple couples on a 4 inch screen anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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