Iqiyi limits the definition of TV projection screen？ 4K is gone, only 480P, and users can’t accept it!
Price increases, restrictions on the number of login devices, and restrictions on screen projection … The adjustment actions of video platforms in terms of members are becoming more and more intensive, and almost every adjustment will cause users to vomit.
The latest controversy comes from iQiyi. Recently, some netizens found that when Iqiyi Gold members cast screens, they can only choose 480P with low definition, instead of supporting 4K. This adjustment has caused users to vomit widely.
In this regard, a legal person told the reporter of Securities Times E Company that when the video platform really needs to adjust the user agreement, it should fully consider the experience and opinions of consumers and pay attention to the rationality and fairness of the content of the agreement adjustment.
Iqiyi limits the clarity of projection screen?
It is a common practice to open a video platform APP member and project a screen to play on TV. Recently, however, many users have found that the screen definition of iQiyi Gold members has been restricted.
Previously, the Gold Member TV projection screen could support up to 4K resolution, but now it can only choose 480P resolution. Higher definition requires platinum membership.
Because of the low definition of 480P, it is almost impossible to watch it on a big screen TV. Some users said that this basically means that the screen projection function of gold members disappears.
Gold membership is the most basic membership mode of iQiyi. Judging from the provisions of the membership agreement, the gold member itself does not include the right to use the TV.
Iqiyi APP shows that its gold members’ mobile phones, computers and tablets can be used, excluding TV. Platinum members focus on the "big screen+small screen" viewing function, which is actually gold members+TV rights, and can be watched on mobile phones, tablets, computers, TVs and other terminals. More advanced and more expensive Star Diamond members can be used in more terminals.
The Iqiyi membership agreement also explicitly mentions that the membership rights enjoyed by each member type can only be used on the equipment terminals to which the VIP membership type applies, and cannot be used across terminals. If the gold VIP member is opened, the membership rights can be used on the computer/mobile phone /Pad side, but not on the TV side and the projection screen.
However, before, Iqiyi Gold members supported the projection of the screen to the TV terminal with high definition, and many tutorials were also provided in the APP and website to guide users to use the screen projection. Only some copyrighted content has screen projection restrictions, and there will be patch advertisements before screen projection.
After gold members restrict screen projection, users need to spend more money if they want to use it happily on TV. The original price of iQiyi gold VIP is 258 yuan/year and 30 yuan/month, while platinum VIP needs 388 yuan/year and 50 yuan/month.
In addition to iQiyi, the basic membership rights of other video platforms also exclude the TV side. For example, the most basic VIP members of Tencent Video can only be used on mobile phones, computers, tablets and intelligent hardware, except TV.
On the basis of VIP membership service, Tencent Video Super Video VIP members increase the rights and interests of TV users. If you want to play it on TV, you need to buy this level of VIP.
User dissatisfaction: will the agreement be changed if it is changed?
Since last year, several major video platforms have frequently caused user dissatisfaction by adjusting member prices and restricting login terminals.
For the adjustment of member price, at least the users who have purchased members are basically unaffected. However, limiting the number of device logins and the clarity of screen projection will affect all users, including existing members, which is also the reason for users’ dissatisfaction.
"This is just like I spent 8,000 yuan on a haircut card, saying that I can enjoy a 30% discount on the original price. Then after a few months, he adjusted the price, and the original price became more expensive. I think the 30% discount card with a recharge of 8,000 is the same." Some users spoke to reporters.
Some users also said that when purchasing members, they can choose the clarity of the projection screen, but now they can’t, and they will change it if they say it is changed. Any adjustment of the platform shall be notified in advance, and shall take effect at least from the next purchase of members.
However, if you look carefully at the membership terms of the video platform, you may find that the video platform has actually stipulated the adjustment of membership rights.
As mentioned in Tencent Video, the application scope of its membership service is constantly increasing and adjusting with the expansion and change of cooperation, subject to the actual situation when users enjoy the membership service.
It has the right to adjust all or part of the service content of Tencent Video Series members (including but not limited to changing, canceling, reducing, increasing the broadcast progress of video content, stopping broadcasting or paying extra for on-demand, payment restrictions, etc.) according to legal provisions and policy changes, requirements of copyright owners, operational needs and user needs.
(Detailed regulations of Tencent Video on terminals that members can use)
There is a similar expression in the Iqiyi agreement. Adjusting the rights and interests of members, service types, membership packages, rights and interests details, adding or changing the content of extra payment, and optimizing some product functions are all covered by the relevant provisions.
Aiqiyi said that Aiqiyi will notify the above-mentioned adjustment on the service page or in other reasonable ways, and at the same time, Aiqiyi will try to minimize the impact of the above-mentioned adjustment on the rights and interests of existing members.
Legal Person: Adjustment should pay attention to fairness.
If the agreement has been agreed, can the video platform adjust the terms at will?
In this regard, Lawyer Si Binbin of Beijing Tao ‘an Law Firm said in an interview with a reporter from Securities Times E Company that the User Service Agreement of the video platform belongs to a common Internet service format contract. There are two possibilities for the video platform to unilaterally modify the terms without consultation.
"If the content of the revised terms is reasonable, such as the reasonable adjustment of the content of commercial services, which does not substantially harm the rights and interests of users and belongs to the independent management right of the platform company, the law does not prohibit it. If the content of the unilateral modification clause restricts the user’s right to choose and know, it is an unfair clause that is unilaterally inclined to the video platform, and it also infringes on the fair trading rights of consumers, and may even be suspected of fraudulent consumption. " Si Binbin said.
Si Binbin introduced that format contracts and terms are widely used by video websites because they are pre-drafted, non-negotiable and reusable, which can meet the requirements of efficient trading of video websites.
"Although the format contract is also subject to some legal restrictions, such as the platform’s suggestive obligations to users, the platform cannot unreasonably exempt or reduce its responsibilities, aggravate users’ responsibilities, and restrict users’ main rights. However, the terms are drafted by the operators in advance, and consumers have no room for substantive negotiation, which aggravates the abuse of standard terms. "
Si Binbin suggested that in administrative supervision, the "user agreement" provided by large Internet platforms can be independently reviewed by a third party (such as consumer associations) in advance to avoid obvious unreasonable clauses in the "user agreement" and make it time-consuming and laborious for consumers to defend their rights afterwards.
"In addition, when the video platform really needs to adjust the user agreement due to business content and market operation needs, it should fully consider the experience and opinions of consumers and pay attention to the rationality and fairness of the content of the agreement adjustment." Si Binbin said.
Editor: peng bo
Proofreading: Li Lingfeng