Online retailer Rakuten – owners of Play.com and Kobo – recently launched a new digital content store, offering viewers the chance to enjoy their favourite movies and TV shows on their iPads, smartphones and other selected devices.
Wuaki.tv offers both a netflix style streaming service and iTunes-like rent and “buy” options.
While the streaming service looks top-notch with a decent enough selection and a half-priced life time promotion, the ability to “buy” isn’t quite what it seems.
The word “buy” conjures up notions of permanent, unlimited and perpetual ownership.
What you actually get is a three year licence to access the content, after which it ceases to be available.
A “More information about buying and renting” link offers the following definition of “buy”:
“This purchase allows unlimited streaming in all purchased versions on all compatible devices linked to your Wuaki.tv account for a period of 3 years subject to restrictions outlined in the Contractual Conditions.”
while the help pages say this:
“As a reminder, if you buy a movie or TV series, it will be available in your Library for online streaming for 3 years, while rentals will remain available for 48 hours.”
If you’re thinking of buying content you may want to check whether a DVD or Blu-ray offers you longer term ownership for the same or less than the three year term offered here.
