Marketplace Tech What does ownership mean in the digital age?
Sep 17, 2025
Aaron Perzanowski, a law professor at the University of Michigan and author of "The End of Ownership," dives into the intricacies of digital ownership. He discusses a new lawsuit against Amazon Prime Video, questioning the true ownership of digital assets like movies and music. The conversation touches on licensing agreements, potential content loss, and the lack of federal regulations on digital licensing. Perzanowski also explores the unmet promises of blockchain for digital assets and the growing consumer interest in physical media amidst concerns over digital rights.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Licenses Replaced Clear Ownership
- Digital sales shifted from ownership to permission via licenses rather than clear sales.
- Aaron Perzanowski explains that licenses grant chosen bundles of rights, creating consumer uncertainty.
Digital Collections Are Precarious
- Digital licenses often promise indefinite use but can vanish when retailer or licensing deals change.
- Perzanowski warns consumers' digital collections are precarious when rights expire or companies change offerings.
Verify What "Buy" Actually Means
- Check for clear, conspicuous notices before buying digital content that uses words like "buy."
- California's AB 2426 requires such notices or an offline permanent download to avoid false advertising.
