Walt Disney Studios has an interesting agreement with Amazon.com. It seems that they can restrict viewing of any of their movies when you store your copy online with Amazon, even if you have purchased that movie. A reader at Boing Boing named Bill bought several Christmas movies last year, thinking that his kids could watch them whenever they wanted. But he no longer has access to one of them, as Disney wants people to watch the movie on their tv channel instead. He will regain access to the movie in July.
The movie in question is called Disney Prep & Landing 2, but it is not the only one affected in this manner. Other titles like the Muppet Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas are also unavailable as a new purchase, or for viewing by those who have already purchased them through Amazon Instant Viewing.
Amazon did offer this one customer a generous discount on other purchases, but it doesn't change an evil arrangement between Amazon and Disney. And people wonder why piracy is the preferred and superior method of obtaining content online.
You can read more on the story at Boing Boing and at TorrentFreak.
