Google Pulls Plug on Google Video - Your Paid For Videos won't work anymore

This is huge news - the first instance of DRM (Digital Rights Management) being used to de-activate people's content on their computers.

According to this email (I am attaching the text below), Google is now offering you credit at Google Checkout for an amount compared to the videos you have purchased. This should be a warning to all of those using Digital Rights Managed music, video or the like that they can turn it off at any time and give you little to no compensation for it, and quite frankly, I have no interest in the five dollars, I want to view the videos I paid for.

This should be a reminder, even though Google Video wasn't the most popular, that anything you own with DRM on it can be taken away from you at any time - and the only thing that you have is a promise that they won't do it. This should remind you on bigger sites, like iTunes, it's completely possible that if a deal with a record label goes south, you may not be able to listen to your music anymore. You might get a credit, but again, I bought the material because I liked it.

Here is the email I received:

Hello,

As a valued Google user, we're contacting you with some important information about the videos you've purchased or rented from Google Video. In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective August 15, 2007.

To fully account for the video purchases you made before July 18, 2007, we are providing you with a Google Checkout bonus for $5.00. Your bonus expires in 60 days, and you can use it at the stores listed here: http://www.google.com/checkout/signupwelcome.html. The minimum purchase amount must be equal to or greater than your bonus amount, before shipping and tax.

After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased or rented videos.

If you have further questions or requests, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Google Video Team

Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043