[LINK] Copyright and DVDs

[Kevin Littlejohn]

>>> "David Boxall" wrote
> Had this been the only concern, then old films need not be region-coded (I'm
> not sure whether the DVD Video specification allows for DVDs that work on
> players from any region); but that was not the only concern. It was also

Note for this point:  Yes, you can get "regionless" DVD's - and most 
"regionally-produced" DVD's (BBC produce, for instance, the excellent 
"Planets", "Dinosaurs", "The Black Adder" :) and similar) are produced without 
any region restriction.

An interesting side-note:  We visited the local swap meet the other day and 
purchased two DVD's of very popular very recent movies (Chicken Run, which is 
a laugh, and The Cell, which is, um, different) - the stand we purchased from 
were stocking recent _regionless_ DVD's.  I have no idea where they came from, 
we were told they were imported, that's all I know - the region symbol at the
back specifically says "All region", and they all support English, Chinese,
and Malay subtitles only.

I'll also note the New Zealand govt had the backbone to tell the DVD 
consortium to naff off - apparently, region-locked DVD players are illegal in 
New Zealand under their trade practices act.  Pity .au couldn't follow suit, 
hrm?

KevinL