EU May Force iTunes Store To Accept Returns 252
Sweet Harmony writes "ArsTechnica is reporting that the European Union may soon require online music stores to accept returns. A review of European consumer protection laws has highlighted online sales of 'digital content services' as an area where existing consumer protection laws need to be harmonized. 'The EC would like to standardize cooling-off periods along with other aspects of the EU's consumer protection laws. One of the issues being considered is whether the rules on consumer sales should apply to 'digital content services' like music.'"
Awesome. (Score:4, Insightful)
Oh wait
Returns (Score:3, Insightful)
Norway's not in the EU (Score:5, Insightful)
back on topic, this is a good thing, just because I buy something online doesn't mean I should have lees consumer protection than if I buy it physically.
Misclick (Score:5, Insightful)
Why not? (Score:5, Insightful)
Just one problem... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Norway's not in the EU (Score:5, Insightful)
Here in the US of A, many of those protections have been stripped, and you can see what is beginning to happen over here.
Why is this about "iTunes"? (Score:5, Insightful)
Hint: the answer isn't "because iTunes is the most popular store". When Microsoft was targeted for doing things like offering refunds for unused Windows licenses, Microsoft is mentioned explicitly because it is the only one engaged in that behavior.
So why is only "iTunes" mentioned in stories like these when in fact most (if not all - I haven't checked) also likely have similar practices?
Re:Why not? (Score:5, Insightful)
Maybe like this? (Score:5, Insightful)
Or am I missing something?
DRM (Score:5, Insightful)
My karma's going to go to hell for this, but here's an interesting thought.
This "return" concept is entirely impossible without DRM.
DRM'd if you do, DRM'd if you don't? (Score:5, Insightful)
Of course, some compromise could probably negate most of the negative impacts, such as limiting the number of returns per year, and only giving in-store credit.
Re:Maybe like this? (Score:3, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why not? (Score:5, Insightful)
Can't Be Done Without Copy Protection (Score:5, Insightful)
Personally, I think this is kinda fair-ish. If you're going to pretend that digital files are scarce objects, then you have to accept all the responsibilities of selling scarce objects in a retail marketplace, and that means accepting returns.
If, however, they were to do away with copy protection entirely, thereby dropping the scarce object fiction, then they could provably make the argument to a technically unsophisticated crowd (politicians) that "returns" are impossible. Under such circumstances, I think we could let music vendors slide on returns.
So: If you sell with copy protection, you have to accept returns. If you sell without copy protection, then you don't have to accept returns. Seem fair? Fair-ish?
One side-effect of this might be that you couldn't return music CDs, since they can be freely copied.
Schwab
You are not buying bits, you're buying enjoyment (Score:3, Insightful)
The same will likely also apply to software if this goes ahead. Don't like it or it does not do what you expect? Sell it, or return it. Sure MS etc might make that very hard, but some companies do allow it. Many countries do have comsumer guarantees that support the customer and in that will make it harder for companies not to take back merchandise.
Re:You are not buying bits, you're buying enjoymen (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Maybe like this? (Score:0, Insightful)
Re:You are not buying bits, you're buying enjoymen (Score:5, Insightful)
If a movie is bad, I still pay for it. If I should be upset with anyone, it's whoever suggested I see it in the first place, not the movie theatre. If there were kids crying through an entire R-rated movie because someone didn't want to pay for a baby-sitter and the theatre didn't want to kick them out, I might ask for a refund. If it happens again, I probably won't return to that theatre.
If I buy a piece of software and it doesn't do what I want, I'm stuck with it. For example, if I bought a music editor, I couldn't return it because it doesn't edit photos. If it doesn't do what it advertised I might look for a refund.
If I buy music from iTunes and don't like that I can't play it on Linux, I have the choice of burning and ripping, finding an illegal alternative method of removing the DRM, or forgetting about the music. If I buy a song from iTunes and it won't play on my iPod, I'd pursue a refund.
In short, company's should only have to provide what they tell you they're selling you. If they misrepresent the product, you should be able to get your money back. If you don't do anything to make sure you know what you're buying, I have no pity.
Re:Just one problem... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Why not? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Maybe like this? (Score:5, Insightful)
How about setting a $ threshold (I can't be bothered to look up the Euro symbol right now) for the "cooling off period". "Oh my God! I really can't afford this 52\" HDTV" is one thing. "Oh my God! I spent $2.98 on music!" isn't on the same scale. Suck it up and take the loss.
Re:Returns (Score:3, Insightful)
1) Whomever would be doing it probably also doesn't mind just downloading the music via some p2p network
2) "buy, rip, return" requires more effort than just queuing a download on whatever p2p client they would happen to be using
3) People are lazy
Also, one can assume that there will be an alert triggered by a high (returns / buys) value.
Re:Awesome. (Score:3, Insightful)
1. Buy songs from iTunes
2. Burn songs to CD.
3. "return" songs for refund.
4. Enjoy your free music.
I have to wonder, does this apply also to store bought CD's also in the EU? So can you buy a CD, take it home and rip it to your HD and then return it? Just wondering.
How does one conduct business like this?