Amazon is justifying the piracy of books
Overview
This article documents an incident where a consumer discovered that Amazon Kindle e-books purchased in one country could not be transferred to an account in another country when relocating internationally. This case highlights concerns regarding digital ownership limitations compared to physical products.
Incident Details
In 2024, a consumer named Rohit reported on social media that upon relocating to a different country, they were informed by Amazon customer service that their Kindle e-book library could not be transferred to their new regional Amazon account.[1] According to the reported conversation with Amazon customer support, the customer was told:
"I am really sorry to inform you that the ebooks can not be moved also."
The customer service representative further clarified that to access content purchased in different regions, customers must log into the specific regional website where the purchases were originally made.
Consumer Rights Implications
This incident raises questions about the nature of digital ownership compared to physical media. Some consumer advocates have expressed concerns that:
- Digital content purchases may function more as limited licenses rather than traditional ownership
- Geographic restrictions may limit accessibility of purchased content
- Terms of service may contain limitations not prominently displayed at time of purchase
In contrast to digital media, physical books can be transported across international borders without restriction, leading some commentators to suggest that digital ownership rights are more limited than their physical counterparts.
Legal Context
Digital content purchases are typically governed by End User License Agreements (EULAs) rather than traditional sales law. These agreements often contain specific limitations on how and where content can be accessed. Consumer protection advocates have suggested that the difference between how products are marketed ("buy," "purchase") and the actual legal arrangement (limited license) may create confusion for consumers.
Industry Practice
Amazon's practice of region-locking digital content is not unique in the digital marketplace. Various companies that sell digital media implement similar geographic restrictions, often citing:
- Regional licensing agreements
- Copyright restrictions
- Market segmentation requirements
- Local regulatory compliance