The post in which Google shows some clue

[giza]

 
Awhile back, I complained about Google ending their video service, and making the video that I downloaded unplayable. I then went on to snark about how DRM is evil because things like this can happen.

Well, DRM is still evil, but at least Google is being less jerkish about it. I just got this email from Google:

Subject: New - Important Information Regarding Your Google Video Purchase
From: "Google Video Team" <video-support@google.com>

Hello,

We recently emailed you to let you know that Google is ending the
Google Video download to own/rent (DTO/DTR) program, and that
you'd receive a Google Checkout bonus equal to or greater than the
total amount of your Google Video purchases.

Since then, we've received feedback from people dissatisfied with
our approach to phase out the Google Video download to own/rent
program, so we've decided to take additional steps to address
these concerns:

1. We will fully refund your credit card for the total amount
of your Google Video purchases.
2. We're going to continue to support playing your videos
through February, 2008. We won't be offering the ability to buy
additional videos, but what you have already downloaded will
remain playable.
3. The Google Checkout bonus you've already received is yours
to keep. You can use your bonus at the following stores:
http://www.google.com/checkout/signupwelcome.html . Your bonus
expires on October 31, 2007, and the minimum purchase amount must
be equal to or greater than your bonus amount, before shipping and
tax.

Your $1.99 refund will be applied to the following credit card
currently on file with us:

Card type: [REDACTED]
Last four digits of card number: [REDACTED]
Expiration date: [REDACTED]

If you would like this refund to be applied to another card,
please visit your Google Checkout account and update your default
card. Here's how:

1. Sign in to your Google Account at:
http://checkout.google.com
2. Click 'Edit payment methods' along the left side of the
page
3. Enter your credit card details and billing address under
'Add a New Credit Card'
* Click 'Make this my default payment method'
4. Click 'Save'

To update an existing credit card, simply enter the same credit
card number with your new billing address, expiration date, or
other information in step #3 above. The old information associated
with your card will be replaced when you click 'Save.' Remember,
you must have at least one payment method in your account in order
receive refunds.

We will process these refunds in the next 14 to 21 business days,
and it will appear on your credit card statement as
'GOOGLE GOOGLE.COM/CH'

If you have any questions about this change in policy, please read
our blogpost:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/update-on-google-video-feedback.html

If you've forgotten your Checkout password, or need further
assistance updating your credit card, please go here:
https://checkout.google.com/support/

You can also contact us by filling out this form:
http://video.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=none&submit=Continue


We appreciate our users' responses and hope this adequately
addresses them.

Sincerely,

The Google Video Team

Comments

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

Hmm, a bit better, but I don't get why they can't just let you download the videos in an unencumbered format. Afterall, you paid to be able to play them forever, so why restrict them?

If they did that, they'd redeem themselves 100%. This is only redeeming themselves 95% in my eyes. Which isn't bad, but not truly acceptable.

[giza.livejournal.com]

They don't own the copyrights to these videos and probably do not have the legal right (granted by contract) to grant licenses either.

I would not be surprised if the MPAA or whatever wanted some obscene multiple of whatever Google has paid so far for those sorts of rights.

[antimon.livejournal.com]

can't really complaina bout that now can ya