Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation - Revision history

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T12:23:13Z

Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:23, 23 February 2026
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	''On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation, a paid media-streaming platform was shutdown as part of a merger with another media-streaming platform known as Crunchyroll.''<ref name=":0">https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/22843839604500-Funimation-End-of-Services</ref> ''This was a planned merger as a result of Sony's acquisition of both companies. The retirement of Funimation also revoked licenses for and removed access to all previously purchased digital copies of Funimation content without an automatic refund or replacement.''<ref name=":0" />		''On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation, a paid media-streaming platform was shutdown as part of a merger with another media-streaming platform known as Crunchyroll.''<ref name=":0">https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/22843839604500-Funimation-End-of-Services ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209052704/https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/22843839604500-Funimation-End-of-Services Archived])</ref> ''This was a planned merger as a result of Sony's acquisition of both companies. The retirement of Funimation also revoked licenses for and removed access to all previously purchased digital copies of Funimation content without an automatic refund or replacement.''<ref name=":0" />

	==Background==		==Background==
	Sony finalized its acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021 after an extended antitrust review by the US Department of Justice.<ref>https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251208142934/https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251204062322/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att Archived])</ref> After a year of operations under Sony, On March 1st, 2022, an announcement was made informing users that the site would be consolidated into Crunchyroll as a part of the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony. <ref>https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/crunchyroll-adds-funimation-anime-sony-1235192876/</ref>		Sony finalized its acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021 after an extended antitrust review by the US Department of Justice.<ref>https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251208142934/https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251204062322/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att Archived])</ref> After a year of operations under Sony, On March 1st, 2022, an announcement was made informing users that the site would be consolidated into Crunchyroll as a part of the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony. <ref>https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/crunchyroll-adds-funimation-anime-sony-1235192876/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260215221608/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/crunchyroll-adds-funimation-anime-sony-1235192876/ Archived])</ref>

	On February 7th, 2024, it was announced that Funimation would shut down and transition to Crunchyroll on April 2nd, 2024.<ref name=":1">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260120013929/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130141433/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 Archived])</ref> Users were notified at that time that subscription prices would increase and users would permanently lose access to their digital library without any mention of a refund or replacement.<ref name=":1" /> Shortly afterwards, articles were published by major digital news outlets such as Ars Technica and the Verge, with both users and journalists remarking on the largely negative outcomes of this merger.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260214204116/https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ Archived])</ref>		On February 7th, 2024, it was announced that Funimation would shut down and transition to Crunchyroll on April 2nd, 2024.<ref name=":1">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260120013929/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130141433/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 Archived])</ref> Users were notified at that time that subscription prices would increase and users would permanently lose access to their digital library without any mention of a refund or replacement.<ref name=":1" /> Shortly afterwards, articles were published by major digital news outlets such as Ars Technica and the Verge, with both users and journalists remarking on the largely negative outcomes of this merger.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260214204116/https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ Archived])</ref>

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 9 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T05:10:04Z

Added archive URLs for 9 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:10, 23 February 2026
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	==Background==		==Background==
	Sony finalized its acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021 after an extended antitrust review by the US Department of Justice.<ref>https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att</ref> After a year of operations under Sony, On March 1st, 2022, an announcement was made informing users that the site would be consolidated into Crunchyroll as a part of the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony. <ref>https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/crunchyroll-adds-funimation-anime-sony-1235192876/</ref>		Sony finalized its acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021 after an extended antitrust review by the US Department of Justice.<ref>https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251208142934/https://www.wired.com/story/funimation-crunchyroll-big-anime-era-is-here/ Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251204062322/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22349203/doj-crunchyroll-investigation-sony-att Archived])</ref> After a year of operations under Sony, On March 1st, 2022, an announcement was made informing users that the site would be consolidated into Crunchyroll as a part of the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony. <ref>https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/crunchyroll-adds-funimation-anime-sony-1235192876/</ref>

	On February 7th, 2024, it was announced that Funimation would shut down and transition to Crunchyroll on April 2nd, 2024.<ref name=":1">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library</ref><ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344</ref> Users were notified at that time that subscription prices would increase and users would permanently lose access to their digital library without any mention of a refund or replacement.<ref name=":1" /> Shortly afterwards, articles were published by major digital news outlets such as Ars Technica and the Verge, with both users and journalists remarking on the largely negative outcomes of this merger.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/</ref>		On February 7th, 2024, it was announced that Funimation would shut down and transition to Crunchyroll on April 2nd, 2024.<ref name=":1">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260120013929/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library Archived])</ref><ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130141433/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344 Archived])</ref> Users were notified at that time that subscription prices would increase and users would permanently lose access to their digital library without any mention of a refund or replacement.<ref name=":1" /> Shortly afterwards, articles were published by major digital news outlets such as Ars Technica and the Verge, with both users and journalists remarking on the largely negative outcomes of this merger.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260214204116/https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ Archived])</ref>

	==''"Forever" Digital Content License Revocation''==		==''"Forever" Digital Content License Revocation''==
	[[File:Funimation service update Emma Roth Verge.webp\|alt=Crunchyroll's "service update" indicating the changes in price and the dates on which price changes would take effect. As published by Emma Roth in her The Verge article Funimation is shutting down — and taking your digital library with it.\|right\|frameless\|741x741px]]		[[File:Funimation service update Emma Roth Verge.webp\|alt=Crunchyroll's "service update" indicating the changes in price and the dates on which price changes would take effect. As published by Emma Roth in her The Verge article Funimation is shutting down — and taking your digital library with it.\|right\|frameless\|741x741px]]
	On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation was shut down. Users permanently lost access to any digital content they had purchased from Funimation or redeemed through a code provided with a physical blu-ray or DVD product - content that had previously been advertised to users as being available "forever." <ref>https://www.cbr.com/funimation-shut-down-forever-digital-copies-fooled/</ref> Users were notified in advance that In order to continue streaming content, users would have to sign up for a new subscription tier with Crunchyroll or let their subscription with Funimation automatically transition into a new, more expensive subscription with Crunchyroll. Notably absent from the notification, was any indication that existing digital content that had been purchased would be inaccessible in Crunchyroll.		On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation was shut down. Users permanently lost access to any digital content they had purchased from Funimation or redeemed through a code provided with a physical blu-ray or DVD product - content that had previously been advertised to users as being available "forever." <ref>https://www.cbr.com/funimation-shut-down-forever-digital-copies-fooled/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103415/https://www.cbr.com/funimation-shut-down-forever-digital-copies-fooled/ Archived])</ref> Users were notified in advance that In order to continue streaming content, users would have to sign up for a new subscription tier with Crunchyroll or let their subscription with Funimation automatically transition into a new, more expensive subscription with Crunchyroll. Notably absent from the notification, was any indication that existing digital content that had been purchased would be inaccessible in Crunchyroll.

	===Funimation's response===		===Funimation's response===
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	That was a feature that was built into the Funimation platform. And as we look at usage of that and the number of people that were redeeming those and using them, it was just not a feature that was available in Crunchyroll and isn’t in our road map.		That was a feature that was built into the Funimation platform. And as we look at usage of that and the number of people that were redeeming those and using them, it was just not a feature that was available in Crunchyroll and isn’t in our road map.

	And so as we announced the sunset of Funimation, the users that had bought those physical home videos will not be able to have access to the digital copies on the Crunchyroll service. I will say these are customers that we value a lot, and we are working really hard directly with each one of them to ensure that they have an appropriate value for what they got in the digital copy initially.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24081180/crunchyroll-president-purini-anime-funimation-shutdown-sony-merger-decoder-interview</ref></blockquote>Some users reported that they were able to get 3 months of Crunchyroll premium for free if they submitted a ticket.<ref name=":3">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation#comments</ref>		And so as we announced the sunset of Funimation, the users that had bought those physical home videos will not be able to have access to the digital copies on the Crunchyroll service. I will say these are customers that we value a lot, and we are working really hard directly with each one of them to ensure that they have an appropriate value for what they got in the digital copy initially.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24081180/crunchyroll-president-purini-anime-funimation-shutdown-sony-merger-decoder-interview ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260202045519/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24081180/crunchyroll-president-purini-anime-funimation-shutdown-sony-merger-decoder-interview Archived])</ref></blockquote>Some users reported that they were able to get 3 months of Crunchyroll premium for free if they submitted a ticket.<ref name=":3">https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation#comments ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260219151154/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation Archived])</ref>

	==Consumer impact==		==Consumer impact==
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	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
	Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo</ref>		Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo Archived])</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Bythmusters: Started cargo

2026-01-26T15:20:58Z

Started cargo

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			{{IncidentCargo
			\|Company=Funimation, Sony
			\|StartDate=2024-04-02
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=Unresolved
			\|ProductLine=
			\|Product=Funimation
			\|ArticleType=Service
			\|Type=
			\|Description=
			}}
	''On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation, a paid media-streaming platform was shutdown as part of a merger with another media-streaming platform known as Crunchyroll.''<ref name=":0">https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/22843839604500-Funimation-End-of-Services</ref> ''This was a planned merger as a result of Sony's acquisition of both companies. The retirement of Funimation also revoked licenses for and removed access to all previously purchased digital copies of Funimation content without an automatic refund or replacement.''<ref name=":0" />		''On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation, a paid media-streaming platform was shutdown as part of a merger with another media-streaming platform known as Crunchyroll.''<ref name=":0">https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/22843839604500-Funimation-End-of-Services</ref> ''This was a planned merger as a result of Sony's acquisition of both companies. The retirement of Funimation also revoked licenses for and removed access to all previously purchased digital copies of Funimation content without an automatic refund or replacement.''<ref name=":0" />

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: Removed lawsuit section.

2025-09-13T15:49:32Z

Removed lawsuit section.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 13 September 2025
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	==Consumer impact==		==Consumer impact==
	Users with previous "forever" accessible digital content had all access and rights revoked, and were forced into paying for a Crunchyroll premium subscription if they wanted to continue to access content, with no guarantee that their previously paid-for content would be available on the platform.		Users with previous "forever" accessible digital content had all access and rights revoked, and were forced into paying for a Crunchyroll premium subscription if they wanted to continue to access content, with no guarantee that their previously paid-for content would be available on the platform.

	~~==Lawsuit==~~
	~~''If applicable add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.''~~
	~~===Claims===~~
	~~''Main claims of the suit.''~~
	~~===Rebuttal===~~
	~~''The response of the company or counterclaims.''~~

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

NDN: categories

2025-02-14T02:05:49Z

Post: Added an image of the Crunchyroll notification of service changes with appropriate descriptor text included in the body.

2025-02-01T03:17:43Z

Added an image of the Crunchyroll notification of service changes with appropriate descriptor text included in the body.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:17, 1 February 2025
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	==''"Forever" Digital Content License Revocation''==		==''"Forever" Digital Content License Revocation''==
	On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation was shut down. Users permanently lost access to any digital content they had purchased from Funimation or redeemed through a code provided with a physical blu-ray or DVD product - content that had previously been advertised to users as being available "forever." <ref>https://www.cbr.com/funimation-shut-down-forever-digital-copies-fooled/</ref> In order to continue streaming content, users would have to sign up for a new subscription tier with Crunchyroll or let their subscription with Funimation automatically transition into a new, more expensive subscription with Crunchyroll.		[[File:Funimation service update Emma Roth Verge.webp\|alt=Crunchyroll's "service update" indicating the changes in price and the dates on which price changes would take effect. As published by Emma Roth in her The Verge article Funimation is shutting down — and taking your digital library with it.\|right\|frameless\|741x741px]]
			On April 2nd, 2024 Funimation was shut down. Users permanently lost access to any digital content they had purchased from Funimation or redeemed through a code provided with a physical blu-ray or DVD product - content that had previously been advertised to users as being available "forever." <ref>https://www.cbr.com/funimation-shut-down-forever-digital-copies-fooled/</ref> Users were notified in advance that In order to continue streaming content, users would have to sign up for a new subscription tier with Crunchyroll or let their subscription with Funimation automatically transition into a new, more expensive subscription with Crunchyroll. Notably absent from the notification, was any indication that existing digital content that had been purchased would be inaccessible in Crunchyroll.

	===Funimation's response===		===Funimation's response===

Post: Created/Fixed the Video References grouping.

2025-02-01T01:25:40Z

Created/Fixed the Video References grouping.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 1 February 2025
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	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
	Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />		Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo</ref>

	==References==		==References==

	=== Text References ===		===Text References===
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

	=== '''Video References''' ===		==='''Video References'''===
	<references group="Video References" />		<references group="Video References" />
	[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]		[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]

Post at 01:24, 1 February 2025

2025-02-01T01:24:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:24, 1 February 2025
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	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
	Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /~~><ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo</ref~~>		Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}Video References
			=== Text References ===
			{{reflist}}

			=== '''Video References''' ===
			<references group="Video References" />
	[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]		[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]

Post at 01:17, 1 February 2025

2025-02-01T01:17:58Z

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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}Video References

	[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]		[[Category:''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here'']]

Post: Added a link to a Youtube video that covers this controversy in some detail.

2025-02-01T01:17:28Z

Added a link to a Youtube video that covers this controversy in some detail.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 1 February 2025
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	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
	Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />		Generally, users were outspoken against this, with many popular news outlets creating articles about the monopolistic and anti-consumer actions that were a result of the merger.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAwaV7B2Hwo</ref>

	==References==		==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:05, 14 February 2025
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	==='''Video References'''===		==='''Video References'''===
	<references group="Video References" />		<references group="Video References" />
	[[Category:~~''Name~~ of ~~associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here''~~]]		[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]
			[[Category:Funimation]]
			[[Category:Crunchyroll]]
			[[Category:Subscription-based services]]
			[[Category:Digital rights management]]
			[[Category:Digital ownership]]