The end of ownership

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When you buy a physical book, you own it outright—you can read it, mark it, lend it, or sell it. However, the same cannot be said for ebooks and other digital goods. Retailers and copyright holders maintain that these purchases are merely licenses, meaning they can remove content from your device without notice, as seen when Amazon deleted Orwell's 1984 from users' Kindles. In this exploration of ownership in the digital age, the authors examine how our understanding of ownership has evolved and advocate for the importance of personal property. While digital goods like ebooks and streaming services provide convenience, they also come with trade-offs regarding user constraints, permanence, and privacy. Most consumers overlook the implications of end-user agreements, which often limit their rights. The authors argue for incorporating aspects of private property into the digital marketplace, highlighting the legal and economic advantages. More importantly, this shift would enhance our sense of autonomy and self-direction. If we truly own our digital purchases, we can use them as we wish, ensuring that technology serves to empower rather than restrict our freedoms.