Google TV removes purchased Lord of the Rings films without refund

A user reported that Google TV (formerly Google Play Movies & TV) removed the 'Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition Trilogy' from their digital library despite the titles being purchased in 2022. According to reports from Reddit user ugoindownsaka1, the films disappeared because they are no longer available in Google’s catalog due to distribution agreement changes.

Google support denied the user’s request for a refund, stating that the transaction was no longer eligible because it fell outside the platform’s 120-day refund window. This incident has reignited debates regarding digital ownership versus licensing, highlighting that digital purchases do not guarantee permanent access to content.

Similar situations have occurred with other major companies; for instance, Sony previously removed hundreds of films from PlayStation Store libraries following the expiration of licensing deals. These events underscore the vulnerability of digital libraries compared to physical media.