BKGaming: This is defiantly wrong, but they can probably do this simply because we don't own our accounts on their site, so they gave you access to your bought content and you have plenty of time to download it for yourself. They have no obligation to give you access to it indefinitely. This should be a warning to back up what you really want while you can.
This is definitely wrong though by any means is morally/ethically wrong on GOG's part even if they have no choice. These are the type of things that should be standard in the contract signed between GOG and the rights holder. I can see taking away access from those who have not purchased/ordered the content yet, but those who have should never lose access outside of a site shutdown ect. Put that in the contract.
MarkoH01: I told it once and I tell it again: The right holder does not have ANY RIGHTS anymore for the already sold stuff. They simply CANNOT order GOG to steal stuff back from their customers. And regarding the argument that GOG don't have an obligation to give the customer unlimited access this is also wrong because this is the way GOG is advertizing their service. If they don't deliver what has been promised it is simply false advertizing. Takeing back what already has been giving away I'd also call illegal. It is very unfortunate that nobody from GOG (except Judas) will talk to us about it. I guiss that would be a question for the next GOG Q&A Session if there ever will be one.
First, it's not stealing back sold stuff. You entitled to the download you get when you buy it, it's is your job to download it within a reasonable time after sale. If you fail to do this then you technically don't have it so it can't be stolen from you. GOG has the right since they own the account and the server in which the content is hosted to remove said content, but your provided a window to obtain it via download because you payed for it. Your buying a legal copy of the software that is essentially copied from there servers, not the right to have access to that forever. They pay to keep that content hosted for you but again they have zero obligation to do so, this is a service they are offering you.
It's no different than if GOG shut down tomorrow, if you don't have your stuff downloaded there is nothing you can do about it and GOG has no real legal obligation to provide you anything if you were given a reasonable way to obtain content in a reasonable time frame. This is why you should download whatever you buy after buying it.
Second I'm pretty sure if you read the TOS you agree to by joining there is a likely something stated in there that says GOG has no obligation to provide you bought content indefinitely or can terminate services at any time. Allowing you to access bought content long after purchase is a service they are providing you. Companies have this usually in there TOS to protect themselves from being sued in the event they close or remove something... or whatever.
I agree it's not morally right, and it's not right but lets not confuse what is true and not true here... you would be hard press to argue this as illegal, because this is standard by all companies. Trying to argue a company has to continue to spend money to host content long after sale is futile, you were given a time to obtain the content. This is true for all digital stores really, if you don't think Amazon can't remove your music, kindle books, or iTunes with the same stuff think again, this a service and like GOG they have zero obligation to continue to make content available to you long after purchase.
MarkoH01: I told it once and I tell it again: The right holder does not have ANY RIGHTS anymore for the already sold stuff. They simply CANNOT order GOG to steal stuff back from their customers. And regarding the argument that GOG don't have an obligation to give the customer unlimited access this is also wrong because this is the way GOG is advertizing their service. If they don't deliver what has been promised it is simply false advertizing. Takeing back what already has been giving away I'd also call illegal. It is very unfortunate that nobody from GOG (except Judas) will talk to us about it. I guiss that would be a question for the next GOG Q&A Session if there ever will be one.
mrkgnao: You are both assuming that the rights holder asked for the bonus to be removed from our shelves. I have not seen an indication that this is the case. It is entirely possible that the rights holder asked to stop distributing it to new buyers (which I believe is permissible), but GOG has no technical way of doing that without also removing it from the shelves of past owners.
Until GOG (or my mother) offers more information, we are in the dark.
This is also true...
MarkoH01: And regarding the argument that GOG don't have an obligation to give the customer unlimited access this is also wrong because this is the way GOG is advertizing their service. If they don't deliver what has been promised it is simply false advertizing.
Also please provide evidence where GOG has ever advertised that your bought content will always be available to you, I highly doubt you can, because this would be incredibly stupid on their part. More likely is you "feel" they have an obligation too and "feel" they advertised this in some way. They might have advertised the content sure, but I find it very unlikely you can provide something were they said you will always have access to bought content.
If you can't then in no they were not false advertising... but if they ever really did, then I'd like to see it.
Thank you.