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This is a complex and slightly specialised query, but I'd appreciate any help.
Around 18 months ago I bought a piece of software to enable me to watch Blu-Ray movies on my laptop. Blu-Ray uses a system of Digital Rights Managment (DRM) called AACS keys. In order to play the latest Blu-Ray movies, my software must download the latest AACS keys from a remote site, which it then matches up against the data on the movie disc.
When my software tries to update the AACS key, it fails. This means that I can't watch new Blu-Ray releases. When I contacted the software seller, they told me that they no longer support this software, since it's an older version. They will not help me download the new AACS key, and insist that I pay £50ish for the latest version of the software.
I have complained about this, but to no avail. I am not considering taking a small-claim out against them. My argument is that without the latest AACS keys, the functionality of my software is compromised to the extent that it no longer works in the same way that it did when I originally payed for it.
Legally, do I have any grounds for making this argument? I know that software sometimes falls between the cracks of consumer law. I didn't buy a physical copy of the programme, I merely downloaded it - and I understand that this could mean that it is regarded as a service rather than a product, and therefore not covered by consumer protection legislation.
I think that there's a significant issue at stake here, which is the ability of software developers to sell products which have limited lifespan (i.e. planned obsolescence). I'd be happy to kick off some legal action on this point, but I'm not sure where to start digging in the legislation. Any pointers would be welcome.
Around 18 months ago I bought a piece of software to enable me to watch Blu-Ray movies on my laptop. Blu-Ray uses a system of Digital Rights Managment (DRM) called AACS keys. In order to play the latest Blu-Ray movies, my software must download the latest AACS keys from a remote site, which it then matches up against the data on the movie disc.
When my software tries to update the AACS key, it fails. This means that I can't watch new Blu-Ray releases. When I contacted the software seller, they told me that they no longer support this software, since it's an older version. They will not help me download the new AACS key, and insist that I pay £50ish for the latest version of the software.
I have complained about this, but to no avail. I am not considering taking a small-claim out against them. My argument is that without the latest AACS keys, the functionality of my software is compromised to the extent that it no longer works in the same way that it did when I originally payed for it.
Legally, do I have any grounds for making this argument? I know that software sometimes falls between the cracks of consumer law. I didn't buy a physical copy of the programme, I merely downloaded it - and I understand that this could mean that it is regarded as a service rather than a product, and therefore not covered by consumer protection legislation.
I think that there's a significant issue at stake here, which is the ability of software developers to sell products which have limited lifespan (i.e. planned obsolescence). I'd be happy to kick off some legal action on this point, but I'm not sure where to start digging in the legislation. Any pointers would be welcome.
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