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Google’s new movie rental service will not work on Android devices where the user has gained root file permissions (otherwise known as “rooting”). Instead, users will receive an error message when trying to rent movies. We can the hear the grinding of hacker teeth as we write this.
Google Android
Blog Android Central heard it straight from the horse’s mouth, with Google passing on the message that it will block such devices “due to requirements related to copyright protection”. This is being interpreted as pressure from the licence owners — the movie studios — who feel that owners of rooted devices pose a greater risk to their intellectual property. It’s also worth noting that the movie rental service is only available in the US for now, and that an Australian release would require new licence negotiations. There’s a slim chance that this could result in a more hacker-friendly result down under.
Many will argue that this move is another dent in Google’s claim of the openness of Android, but blaming Google feels like shooting the messenger. If Google really wanted to stamp out user exploits, it could go a lot further with stronger deterrents, like blocking users from the Market or other core services.
