[P1] DVD region codes?

[e.mkeene]

> Do content-providers really, truly believe the audience will buy 
> multiples
> of CDs/DVDs depending on where they want to play it?

Please understand up front, I am in no way agreeing with or condoning 
the DVD region situation, however, there may be one good reason for 
this from a legal standpoint. The International rules on copyright 
differ from the USA's . They are supposedly less capable of protecting 
intellectual property. My understanding is that Germany is especially 
egregious in not protecting the ARTISTs and if anything goes to court 
internationally, the artist stands to lose much more than he would in 
the US. Therefore part of the need for the region is to add "beef" 
specifically to protect the artist's copyright.

Having said that, I must add that the production companies didn't get 
upset by this because they stood to possibly gain more income if people 
did buy multiple copies.