just a comment though, in Hong Kong and Singapore they openly sell DVDs from different regions in shops, not only the little shops but in big ones like HMV (a huge record store, something like Tower Records and M1, only bigger). now I wonder why they don't do that here? probably videogram doesn't want it? or the local distributors are against it?
Yup, I used to buy my DVDs from HMV HK. I inquired about this policy discrepancy from an industry insider and he said that technically, even the giant stores are not be allowed to sell these titles.
However, the balance of power in countries like HK and Singapore is tilted towards the consumer. These governments will not blindly stand behind protectionist policies initiated by private corporations.
Not so in the Philippines. Here we bend over backwards to he who has deeper pockets or stronger connections.
There is no real "law" that bans the local sale of R1 DVDs. Retailers like
OMI and
Astrovision are threatened only because R1 DVDs are not officially sanctioned by the VRB -- meaning, they don't have those damned stickers. Without those stickers, anyone in the rental or retail video business can be raided for trafficking in unlicensed goods.
With a strong push, one wonders if consumers can lobby for the acceptance of R1/R2/R4 DVDs by the VRB. It's the government's decision and it shouldn't allow itself to be pushed around. What can the studios and distributors do? Pull out their films from the Philippines? Hah! They'll rant and rave about it -- but they'll never do it. We have a larger theater public here than in a lot of other countries!
