Amazon Can’t Dislodge Purchased Digital Content Deception Suit

Amazon.com failed to convince a federal judge that its use of the word “buy” for digital content wasn’t deceptive because reasonable consumers know the content is subject to a license.

The US District Court for the Western District of Washington on March 15 rejected the company’s argument that the definition of “buy” meant rights to use rather than perpetual ownership.

Consumers in California, New York, and Washington brought suits alleging the company deceptively advertised the ability to permanently purchase movies, television shows, and music when all digital content purchases are governed by limited licensing agreements. The consumers say they lost ...