Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

MoviePass Changes TOS To Prevent You From Seeing the Same Movie More Than Once (engadget.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the too-good-to-be-true dept.

MoviePass has changed its terms of service to prevent subscribers from seeing the same movie more than once. First spotted by iMore, the new limitation will apply to all subscribers, new and existing. MoviePass' website says, "We recently updated our Terms of Service to reflect that MoviePass subscribers are only permitted to see a select movie in theaters once with your MoviePass. We hope this will encourage you to see new movies and enjoy something different!" Engadget reports: This isn't the first time the company has done this, however. It limited users to seeing titles just once in its earlier days as well and CEO Mitch Lowe said the rule's reinstatement is to cut down on fraud. "When we took that policy down, we saw some people turning MoviePass into a cottage industry, standing in front of a theater selling their tickets to Star Wars, or whatever," he told The Hollywood Reporter. Lowe also said that new features are in the works including couples plans and options that include 3D and IMAX movies.

69 comments

  1. I thought that was a built in feature by rossdee · · Score: 4, Funny

    of modern films - you wouldnt want to watch them more than once

    1. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Snotnose · · Score: 2

      Back when I went to movies there was a reason I saw them more than once in a theater. First time I'm trying to get into my date's pants. Second time I'm interested in the movie. Sometimes that order is reversed. Sometimes that first scenario happened more than once.

    2. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      Considering all 704 movies that were in theaters in 2017, there is less than 21 / 704 = 2.9% of that crap that I'd even want to see once.

      i.e.
      You know Hollywood is doing something wrong when you would rather watch a 5 hour analysis of why Stupid Wars: The Latest Junk sucked, then the movie itself.

    3. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by AlanBDee · · Score: 1

      I can think of multiple movies I wanted to see a second time; the Greatest showman being the latest. Especially when I found out they had sing-a-long version. It is still rare that I would want to see a movie a second time even if it didn't cost me anything. I would wager it's far more common for people to "share" a pass then it is that they deliberately want to watch a movie multiple times.

    4. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or you've become old, bitter and more interested in tearing things down than enjoying them for what they are.

      Welcome to the Republican party. Your membership packet is in the mail. Please pick use the enclosed postcard survey to indicate your favorite three forms of bigotry that you like to practice so we can tailor future mailings to your tastes.

    5. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by TigerPlish · · Score: 1

      In Theaters:

      Wreck-It Ralph: 8 times.
      Brave: 7 times
      Cars 2: 2 times
      Rush (the one about F1 in 1976) 1 time
      Bridge of Spies, 1 time
      Force Awakens: 3 times
      Zootopia: 5 times

      Speak for yourself. I know a few other peeps that binge Pixar (and the odd Disney) at the theaters. Because 50 foot screens is still a thing.

      But yes, 99.9% of the stuff from the studios is still dreck, unfit for even one watching.

      --
      The "Civilized World" jumped the shark ca. 1973.
    6. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is NOT about preventing people from watching the same movie twice. It is to discourange multiple people from sharing the same movie pass.

    7. Re: I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, you dolt. Being disillusioned with the constant capitalist smarm is not a ticket to being a Republican. It is just that- he or she realizes that we arent all simple minded fools who enjoy shoot em ups. I can imagine which camp you fall in.

    8. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey stop dumping on the Marvel movies, man.

    9. Re: I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The GP claimed only Republicans don't like movies he likes. This makes him retarded.

      You said only "simple minded fools" like movies you don't. This makes you equally retarded.

      You will now prove me right.

    10. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Christ, you are a fucking moron.

    11. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or you've become old, bitter and more interested in tearing things down than enjoying them for what they are.

      Lazy, thoughtless, shitty screenplays are "what they are", no matter what your age.

    12. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      of modern films - you wouldnt want to watch them once

      FTFY

    13. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Star Wars: Mary Sue
      Star Wars: Mary Poppins
      Star Wars: Mary Mother of God, Why Am I Watching This Shit?

    14. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by flargleblarg · · Score: 1

      And how is this going to change anything? People can still share the same pass. They just have to see different movies.

      You and a friend each want to see two first-run movies this week? Swap your passes and see both movies twice. Done and done.

    15. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      That,s completely different then what the article states. Nowhere in the article does it say anything about sharing moviepass...

      "Quote"
      "We recently updated our Terms of Service to reflect that MoviePass subscribers are only permitted to see a select movie in theaters once with your MoviePass. We hope this will encourage you to see new movies and enjoy something different!"
      "End Quote"
      Also stated on MP site

      https://moviepass.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003094371-Why-can-t-I-see-the-same-movie-more-than-once-now-

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    16. Re:I thought that was a built in feature by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      Ad hominem fallacy much?

      You DO realize that both sides, Democrats AND Republicans, dislike movies, right?

      /sarcasm Because the political leanings of the viewer determine if a movie is good or not -- and not the script, director, execution, pacing, editing, etc.

  2. Magic 8-ball TOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can I watch 2 movies today?

    *shake shake shake* Outcome unclear

  3. Bait and Switch by elohssa · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So, they got a bunch of people to sign up for 1-year plans, then changed the plan. How's this legal?

    1. Re:Bait and Switch by yodleboy · · Score: 1

      Probably subscribers accepted the right of MoviePass to change plan terms at anytime when you agreed to the old TOS...

    2. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since when has it been illegal to change the terms of service? Care to quote the relevant case and statutory law?

    3. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Changes to TOS generally allow you to cancel the service effective immediately. Unless the US has fucked up laws in this area.

    4. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pretty much every ToS and EULA agreement includes something to the effect of...

      We reserve the right to modify or terminate you/all subscriptions at any time for any reason and without warning or compensation.

      This is standard for any company offering any kind of service at all. Not saying I agree with it, but all they would have to do is cite that clause to shut you up.

    5. Re:Bait and Switch by alexo · · Score: 2

      This practice should be expressly prohibited by consumer protection laws.
      The fact that it is not, has a lot to say about the "of the people, for the people, by the people" claim.

      Interesting read:
      https://www.eff.org/wp/dangero...

    6. Re:Bait and Switch by alexo · · Score: 1

      Changes to TOS generally allow you to cancel the service effective immediately. Unless the US has fucked up laws in this area.

      The US has fucked up laws in this area.

      (For any value of "this")

    7. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fuck my typos.

      terminate you

      We could be so unlucky.

    8. Re:Bait and Switch by elohssa · · Score: 1

      Sure, thats pretty standard boilerplate. I don't think anybody would consider it "right". My thought is, that doesn't even make it legal.

      This is the kind of thing I'm referring to: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2007/07/court-says-no-to-changing-terms-of-service-without-notification/

    9. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But if they don't agree to the new terms, surely they can continue under the old terms until the end of the contract period? I expect there might be some lawsuits coming shortly....

    10. Re:Bait and Switch by Desler · · Score: 1

      How is this changing terms with no notification when its users are clearly being notified about the terms changing?

    11. Re:Bait and Switch by Desler · · Score: 1

      No. Why would they be able to? If you don’t accept the terms you lose access to the service.

    12. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I guess, but that pretty clearly breaks the contract. I doubt you'd be bound to continue paying after that and may be entitled to a partial refund for the remaining term already paid.

    13. Re:Bait and Switch by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 1

      Why would they be able to? If you donâ(TM)t accept the terms you lose access to the service. Flag as Inappropriate

      Because they paid money for a service that isn't being provided as agreed to in the contract?

      --
      Your ad here. Ask me how!
    14. Re: Bait and Switch by Reverend+Green · · Score: 2

      Clauses like that essentially say: "We win, you lose, no matter what, no matter how badly we rip you off." Such clauses are manifestly unjust. No legitimate court would even consider upholding them.

      Now what our drunken kangaroo courts will actually say, that I wouldn't venture to guess...

    15. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm pretty sure the US is the only place where clauses like that are legal.

      Try that shit in EU and we'll get another Slashdot article about how EU is harassing American companies with billion dollar fines.

    16. Re:Bait and Switch by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      So, they got a bunch of people to sign up for 1-year plans, then changed the plan. How's this legal?

      It's not. But since this is 'muerika there won't be some government consumer advocacy body fighting the good fight, rather it will be up to a few little guys to take these douchebags to court.

    17. Re: Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was also wondering the same thing myself? Can change the terms when I'm locked into them myself. Some of the movies are worth seeing more than once.

    18. Re:Bait and Switch by torkus · · Score: 1

      Why would they be able to? If you donâ(TM)t accept the terms you lose access to the service.
      Flag as Inappropriate

      Because they paid money for a service that isn't being provided as agreed to in the contract?

      Exactly this.

      MP went hog wild selling yearly subscriptions for an upfront price. Material changes to the agreed-upon terms would not be permitted by US law - things like price or availability would count while things like mailing address or cancellation method would not. I expect that what they're doing will be challenged in court by someone or other. The catch is, even with this new rule the service is still a great deal ... so who's really going to want to not do business with them?

      --
      You can get rich if you own a politician, but you have to be rich to buy one in the first place.
    19. Re:Bait and Switch by torkus · · Score: 1

      Material changes are protected. It's the same reason they can't change the monthly charge if you signed up for a fixed price over the contract terms.

      --
      You can get rich if you own a politician, but you have to be rich to buy one in the first place.
    20. Re:Bait and Switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly, What if a gym sold a year long membership with 24/7 unlimited access (paid in full and up front) and then a month later said, you can only work out mondays and thursdays between 3am and 8am. Someone needs to sue and give me back my prepaid membership. (this is why they don't have a phone number you can actually call.)

  4. Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance anymore? I get the savings this subscription might offer, but why is this even a story? If they won't let you rewatch something, quit bitching and buy your own tickets.

    Also why do movie ticket scalpers even exist? Movies aren't a one time thing, they are replayed for weeks if not months. Doesn't matter what movie it is, after a week or two the place will be empty and you can sit pretty much anywhere you want.

    Do millennials not know this?

    1. Re:Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      If you get 4 subs and get 4 tickets/day, you could sell them for half and supplement your income to the tune of $20/day.

      If I was a kid and already had a shit job near the theater, I'd have been all over it. Wouldn't have limited myself to 4, at least once I saw they were paying off.

      Theaters rarely check you're going into the movie you paid for (sometime requires a bathroom detour). Just scalp them as 'general admission'.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    2. Re:Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by known_coward_69 · · Score: 1

      popular movies at the nice theaters are sold out for days in advance around release time

    3. Re:Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can only buy ONE movie a day. Not 4.

    4. Re:Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by jonwil · · Score: 1

      I go to the cheapest theater chain in Brisbane (Cineplex, no relation to the North American entity of the same name) and the only time I have ever seen a session that was sold out was for Avengers Infinity War on opening day (Wednesday Anzac Day public holiday) when all the sessions were sold out. Went there on Thursday to see it and had no problems walking up to the ticket counter and getting a ticket.

    5. Re: Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which is why he said to get 4 subscriptions

    6. Re: Do theaters not sell tickets at the entrance by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      I was a rotten kid, I had a dozen 'battery of the month' club cards. Collected batteries like cordwood, but siblings, so never lasted.

      '4 free game tokens every time you come in' cards! Went in the token machines. On the bike ride to/from school. They had to buy more tokens, then more. Then we got smart, started selling bags of tokens at school. After a while the cards stopped working, what a ripoff.

      Same tokens worked at fancy, expensive (4/dollar), 'puke got cleaned up' arcade, years later.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  5. Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If I want to see a movie in a theater I will go and pay cash and see the movie.

    Frankly, the theater "experience" is so bad these days I would pay MORE to see the movie at home. Theater operators do nothing about idiots texting DURING the movie, and this is not something I am going to accept.

    So like I said, fuck all this shit. If I want to see a movie I will watch it in the comfort of my home, on MY terms, when and how I want, and anyone
    who texts during the movie then will be drawn and quartered.

    1. Re:Fuck all this shit. by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I hear you. I have a friend who keeps dragging me to the theaters. I go because they value it, but I hate the movie experience compared to my home theater.

      I'd rather sit at home being able to drink what I want, pause the movie, adjust the volume, rewind, be guaranteed to get the best seat, turn on/off CC, and go the bathroom on my terms, instead of paying for an over-priced ticket.

    2. Re:Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh come now, who could give up the hearing damage, sticky floors, petri dish environment, while being trapped in a gun free zone.

      Next thing you know, you won't want extra spit(hopefully) on your popcorn.
       

    3. Re:Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The last movie I saw I must have scared the shit out of the lady in the row in front of me by her startled reaching when I crouched down and asked her to stop using her cellphone during the movie. I don't get it, you pay $10+ to go into a dark movie theater and can't keep from texting for more than 5 minutes at a time?

    4. Re:Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i agree with you, the movie theatres are horrible and i dont understand why anybody would give their hard earned money to these greedy usurers.

    5. Re: Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sneaking in drinks isn't difficult if you're even the slightest bit resourceful.

      A while back some friends wanted to go to the movies. I got out-voted 6-to-1 on what to see, so we saw the shitty Adam Sandler remake of The Longest Yard. I took a 12 pack of beer bottles in to the theater. Don't remember anything about the film. Best Adam Sandler movie I've seen since Happy Gilmore.

    6. Re:Fuck all this shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't understand the attraction of the cinema.

      "Hey, do you want to pay me two hour's wages to sit in a large dark room and watch a film with strangers (who may ruin your enjoyment of the movie)? We've got crap seats, sticky floors, the wrong temperature regardless of the time of year, no ability to pause and massively overpriced food? Bring your friends! But no talking. Unless you're an incourteous a-hole who doesn't mind ruining everyone else's experience, in which case go ahead - we won't stop you!"

      The only thing cinemas have going for them is newly released films. If you can wait a few months to see The Revengers: Endless Conflict or whatever then you'll have a far more pleasant experience at home.

  6. Two words: by no-body · · Score: 1

    Control Freaks!

  7. Kids like seeing the same movie over & over ag by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    if you've got kids you know exactly what I'm talking about. This is what that's about.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  8. I don't see a problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    MoviePass can write all the Shakespearean terms of services it wants. I set my terms with bittorrent. I hardly care what a bunch of Hollywood perverts think!

  9. Re:USA is a shithole by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And has no consumer protection laws, that's how this is possible. Enjoy that dick up your ass USAmericans, you've voted for it since Nixon!

  10. Technically by Solandri · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Since according to the MPAA you've purchased a license to see the movie, shouldn't the theater let you see it as often as you like with the same ticket^H^H^H^H^H^Hlicense as long as the showing is not sold out?

    1. Re:Technically by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe you should read the story before posting. This has NOTHING to do with theaters and everything to do with a subscription service that SOME were abusing.

      Sadly, the actions of a few people are the reason why this change came about. But in the end, you are getting to see MANY movies a month for just $10. In most places, if you watch only 1 movie a month you are even.

    2. Re:Technically by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's it like working for MoviePass? Are you an employee or do you just work in something like a call center but for spamming social media?

    3. Re: Technically by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is it like to live without a working neuron?

    4. Re:Technically by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      Since according to the MPAA you've purchased a license to see the movie, shouldn't the theater let you see it as often as you like with the same ticket^H^H^H^H^H^Hlicense as long as the showing is not sold out?

      You didn't purchase a license to see the movie though. You purchased a rental of a seat in the theatre for that specific movie.

      Going to the theatres is not "buying a movie" in the sense that a digital download through iTunes/Amazon/Google/Vudu/etc is. It's a rental of a seat in a theatre that hopefully will show the movie stated.

      It's just like buying a ticket to a play, or a ticket to a sporting event, or a plane ticket, or ticket to a cruise, etc. It just means you have the right to park your butt at the specified location for the specified times.

  11. So we're not too bright by terdog1 · · Score: 1

    We need this because we're really too stupid that we forget which movies we've seen???

    1. Re:So we're not too bright by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Welcome to Earth, visitor from the stars! Let me explain an interesting aspect of human culture to you.

      As you may have noticed, motion pictures (or "movies") are one of our more popular forms of entertainment. Sometimes, a human gains sufficient enjoyment from such an event that he or she wishes to view the same "movie" a second time. Occasionally, they will even view that "movie" a third time or more! This is similar to how we Earth creatures will sometimes eat a particularly favored food, even though we have recently eaten the same type of food.

      I'm sorry, should I explain the "food" thing as well, honored galactic guest? I'm afraid I wasn't briefed on how your species obtains nutrients.

  12. Not trying to sound snobby, but by Presence+Eternal · · Score: 1

    These days I won't go to a film if I don't think I'll want to watch it again.

    You know, I just realized I don't remember if I have watched Inception more than once.

  13. Re:Black unemployment at all time low!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't be an asshole.

  14. homeless by bugs2squash · · Score: 1

    well this and the demise of the unlimited plan destroys my idea of ending homelessness by handing out moviepass memberships.

    I wonder if snap fitness has a daily time allowance...

    --
    Nullius in verba
  15. half hour of nonsense before the film by speedlaw · · Score: 1

    I can take the expensive food, I don't care if other folks text. What keeps me OUT of a movie is the actual experience. Before the feature, you get a reel of ads. you get another reel of promos. then, you get a few more ads. Lastly, before the actual move, another long roll of previews....so If I want to get a good seat, I have to show up early, and sit through a half hour of loud promos, or show up around the time of the movie, and end up stuck in the back. The bang ! Loud ! Flash ! is like trying to eat a gourmet meal after being forced to suck a lemon, eat sugar, and follow up with bitters, then have the appetizer. the mandatory 30 minutes of loud adverts after I've paid for the experience means I really have to want to see the film......