3 ms·

Isn't it illegal already almost everywhere? This is a question, I don't know, but here's my reasoning: DVDs are region locked. And breaking restrictions/protect

by rplnt 14y ago

Isn't it illegal already almost everywhere? This is a question, I don't know, but here's my reasoning: DVDs are region locked. And breaking restrictions/protection is not allowed, even if your dvd drive supports it out of the box.

bodhi 14y ago
According to Wikipedia[1]: > Under New Zealand copyright law, DVD region codes and the mechanisms in DVD players to enforce them have no legal protection I have a vague recollection of it not being possible to buy region locked DVD players in New Zealand, but I may be incorrect, or the law may have been changed. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code
- archangel_one 14y ago
  I'm pretty sure it's been possible to buy them in the past (certainly PS2's were region locked by default) but it was also pretty easy to get a region-free player if you wanted. Also, I suspect they may have legal protection now; I was under the impression that the poxy copyright amendment bill of a couple of years ago added something along those lines, but I don't remember specifically enough to be sure (since I no longer live in NZ it's a bit less relevant).
flyinRyan 14y ago
Where I live, stores can't sell DVD players unless they at least provide a way to turn the player into a region-free device.
mcbridematt 14y ago
Region free DVD players are sold in Australia, and the continued legality of them is thanks to the... US Free Trade Agreement. (This is not counting any action the DVD interests could take, i.e patent suits. Most region-free players I've seen are 'chinese' brands) http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/are-regionfree-dvd-players-legal-20120201-1qs42.html http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-o... My recollection is that the competition regulator (ACCC) has taken a rather dim view of DVD region locking in the past - but they can't do anything to stop it. They took a similar attitude to modchips but the Federal Court disagreed with them.

by rplnt 14y ago

bodhi 14y ago

According to Wikipedia[1]: > Under New Zealand copyright law, DVD region codes and the mechanisms in DVD players to enforce them have no legal protection I have a vague recollection of it not being possible to buy region locked DVD players in New Zealand, but I may be incorrect, or the law may have been changed. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code

archangel_one 14y ago
I'm pretty sure it's been possible to buy them in the past (certainly PS2's were region locked by default) but it was also pretty easy to get a region-free player if you wanted. Also, I suspect they may have legal protection now; I was under the impression that the poxy copyright amendment bill of a couple of years ago added something along those lines, but I don't remember specifically enough to be sure (since I no longer live in NZ it's a bit less relevant).

flyinRyan 14y ago

Where I live, stores can't sell DVD players unless they at least provide a way to turn the player into a region-free device.

mcbridematt 14y ago

Region free DVD players are sold in Australia, and the continued legality of them is thanks to the... US Free Trade Agreement. (This is not counting any action the DVD interests could take, i.e patent suits. Most region-free players I've seen are 'chinese' brands) http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/are-regionfree-dvd-players-legal-20120201-1qs42.html http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-o... My recollection is that the competition regulator (ACCC) has taken a rather dim view of DVD region locking in the past - but they can't do anything to stop it. They took a similar attitude to modchips but the Federal Court disagreed with them.