Region locking: Why?

[Sizzle Montyjing]

Yep, this is about region-locking.
That annoying little bastard feature that prevents people in other countries from accessing content.

For example, VEVO don't seem to let the UK get away with much (could extend other places, i have no idea) as they've region locked Wonderboy and other songs that the actual record label let's you access.

So... can someone explain this to me? Is their a legitimate reason or is it just a case of corporate douche-baggery for no reason other than the sake of douche-baggery itself?

Plus, we can all have a bloody good moan about it too.

 

[Hazy992]

Well one of the reasons (for games and movies anyway) is so can publishers can charge different prices in different regions. It stops everyone just buying a game from the US if its cheaper than it is in the UK, for example. So yeah corporate douchebaggery.

It still seems pointless though as there are workarounds e.g. modding or buying an import console, and in this globablised economy there's almost nothing to stop me importing something.

 

[Sizzle Montyjing]

Well one of the reasons (for games and movies anyway) is so can publishers can charge different prices in different regions. It stops everyone just buying a game from the US if its cheaper than it is in the UK, for example. So yeah corporate douchebaggery.

It still seems pointless though as there are workarounds e.g. modding or buying an import console, and in this globablised economy there's almost nothing to stop me importing something.

But what i'm talking about is when they region-lock something, then don't even sell and available version to other countries.
Sort of like- 'We really, REALLY don't want your money, now stand still while we a slap you.'

 

[Hazy992]

Well one of the reasons (for games and movies anyway) is so can publishers can charge different prices in different regions. It stops everyone just buying a game from the US if its cheaper than it is in the UK, for example. So yeah corporate douchebaggery.

It still seems pointless though as there are workarounds e.g. modding or buying an import console, and in this globablised economy there's almost nothing to stop me importing something.

But what i'm talking about is when they region-lock something, then don't even sell and available version to other countries.
Sort of like- 'We really, REALLY don't want your money, now stand still while we a slap you.'

Well a lot of that might be cultural differences. They might feel it wouldn't sell in a particular region or feel people from that region might get offended. Its still stupid because I can still get a hold of it if I wanted to so they might as well not bother.