'You'll own nothing and you'll like it': Google pulls the Lord of the Rings digital editions from one user's library, our latest reminder that digital purchases aren't always forever

Date:
Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Description:
One unfortunate user no longer has access to the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition after buying it from Google.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter A Google user has had the LOTR movies pulled from their account Licensing changes are the most likely reason It's another argument for physical media or for piracy We've seen multiple incidents over the years where users have had movies and shows in their digital libraries unceremoniously yanked due to changes in licensing rules, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow when it happens again.

This time a user posting to Reddit (via Neowin ) has had their Lord of the Rings Extended Editions removed, after paying good money for them four years ago. As per a Google support representative, these films are "no longer available in our catalog". The unlucky user doesn't say how much they paid
for the three movies, but they're unlikely to have come cheap and now
they're left with nothing. It's a galling turn of events, even if it's not that surprising any more. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Buried in the small print of pretty much all the digital content services you use will be warnings about changes in catalog availability, and unfortunately that applies to purchases as well as libraries rented month to month (as on Netflix). Physical media and Google took away my LOTR extended editions from r/Piracy The affected user didn't even get a refund or a gift card for their troubles, as the purchase falls outside the standard 120-day window when
these offers are available. They're just going to have to find it and watch
it somewhere else. You may like Sony is deleting over 500 movies that people bought from their digital libraries Game ownership is at risk, and Xbox veteran has unsurprisingly slammed Sony Disney+ loses 4K and all HDR support in parts of Europe this is why physical media is on the rise

As you might expect, the general Reddit reaction is one of dismay. "This is why physical media matters," says one commenter, while another says "you will own nothing and be happy" (while pointing out that they own the Blu-rays).

It's certainly strong evidence that physical media is the way forward at this stage. As convenient and simple as digital purchases might be, they're always vulnerable to changes in the policies and agreements of online stories and
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Many of the Redditors responding to the case argue that these kinds of
actions essentially legitimize piracy too. You also have the option of
putting together a Plex library , which works like your own personal Netflix and is yours to keep. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free gift Google Pixel 10 Pro 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 200GB data 50 upfront 32 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk See all prices voucher gift Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 53.95 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Apple iPhone 17 Pro 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 56.24 /mth View at EE See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/youll-own-nothing-and-youll-like-it-google -pulls-the-lord-of-the-rings-digital-editions-from-one-users-library-our-lates t-reminder-that-digital-purchases-arent-always-forever


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