Amazon Quietly Changes Kindle eBook Purchase Terms: You're Buying a License, Not Ownership

Amazon's US website recently updated its Kindle eBook purchase page, explicitly stating that purchasing an eBook grants only a license to use the content, not ownership. This change is likely due to a new California law requiring companies to conspicuously disclose that customers are buying a license for digital media. In contrast, Amazon UK and Canada, along with other eBook platforms like Kobo, Apple, and Google, handle this differently; some mention it only in their terms, others don't mention it at all. This highlights the ongoing discussion surrounding digital content ownership, reminding consumers that they acquire the right to read, not own, the content itself.