blair003:

mattwnz: I think many people possibily think they do own it after paying $600 odd for it, which is more than a normal PVR costs. Tivos were around half that, albit a run out price.

Yeah, they probably probably also think that (me at least) because sky don't say you don't own it. So given the options presented to you of

(a) paying a monthly fee indefinitely or;
(b) paying a one off charge but no monthly fee

I think that any reasonable person is going to assume that option a means you are renting it and option b means you are buying it.

I assume if you do elect option (b) they do actually tell you you don't own it, or perhaps its just in the fine print.

My experience is based on a few years ago when it came out. At the time I did the calculation and stupidly elected to rent thinking that there would be an upgrade in a few years so I wouldn't want to own old hardware when I could get the upgraded hardware.

Of course the upgraded hardware is 50% more expensive and the old hardware has not decreased in price, so the jokes on me..

1. CARE OF EQUIPMENT
   
   1. We own the Equipment at all times and you must not:
      
      1. remove the Equipment from the HOME without our prior written consent;
      2. sell, lease, dispose of, lend or otherwise part with possession of, or modify in any way, the Equipment;
      3. use the Equipment for any purpose other than viewing the Selected Service, or using any other programming, products or services selected in accordance with clause 5, inside the HOME in accordance with this contract;
      4. deface, obliterate or remove any label or mark which identifies our ownership of the Equipment; or
      5. do any other act which may adversely affect or prejudice our ownership of the Equipment.
   2. You: (a) must use the Equipment in accordance with our instructions (which we may alter from time to time by notice to you); and (b) are responsible for maintaining the HOME (including the places where the Antenna System is attached to, enters and passes through, the HOME).
   3. You must immediately return the Equipment to us or one of our authorised agents on termination of this contract.
   4. You will be liable for any loss (including by fire) or theft of, or damage however caused to, the Equipment during the term of this contract and while it remains in your possession (if longer). It is your responsibility to have insurance cover, if you elect to do so, against potential liability under this clause.
   5. This contract applies to any additional Smart Cards, Decoders or other Equipment that we provide to you to enable the Selected Service, or any of our other services, to be viewed on more than one television set within the HOME."