EU Mulls Expansion of Geo-Blocking 'Bans' To Video Streaming Platforms (torrentfreak.com) 44
One of the suggestions in a recent report (PDF) from the European Parliament's Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection is to expand geo-blocking restrictions to the audiovisual sector, including streaming platforms. This has spooked some stakeholders who warn that a ban on geo-blocking would put the entire industry at risk. TorrentFreak reports: The report recommends the EU Commission to launch a comprehensive review of the current geo-blocking regulation and have that completed by 2025. It also carries several suggestions for improvement and expansion of the current rules. "The data presented in the report suggest that the effects of such an [geo-blocking] extension would vary by type of content, depending on the level of consumer demand and on the availability of content across the EU," the report's summary reads. "As regards an extension to audio-visual content, it highlights potential benefits for consumers, notably in the availability of a wider choice of content across borders. The report also identifies the potential impact that such an extension of the scope would have on the overall dynamics of the audio-visual sector, but concludes that it needs to be further assessed."
The proposals don't include the abolishment of all territorial licenses in the EU, and they're mindful of the potential impact on the industry. Nevertheless, some industry insiders are spooked; the Creativity Works! coalition (CW), for example, which counts the MPA, ACT, and the Premier League among its members. According to CW, geo-blocking technology is crucial to the creative and cultural industries in Europe. "Geo-blocking is one of the foundations for Europe's creative and cultural sectors, providing Europeans with the means to create, produce, showcase, publish, distribute and finance diverse, high-quality and affordable content," they write.
Banning geo-blocking altogether would be a disaster that puts millions of jobs and hundreds of billions of euros in revenue at risk, CW warns. At the same time, it may result in more expensive subscriptions for many consumers. "Ending geo-blocking's exclusive territorial licensing would threaten 10,000 European cinemas, access to over 8,500 European VOD films and up to half of European film budgets," CW writes. "What's more, over 100 million European fans could pay more to view the same sports coverage, while major digital streaming platforms might be forced to introduce sharp hikes for consumers in many European countries." Understandably, the movie industry is concerned about legislation that upsets the status quo. However, the IMCO report doesn't recommend a wholesale ban on territorial licenses but aims to ensure that content is available in regions where it currently isn't. At this stage, nothing is set in stone, so proposals could change. However, the present recommendations appear to seek a balance between the interests of the entertainment industry and the public at large.
The proposals don't include the abolishment of all territorial licenses in the EU, and they're mindful of the potential impact on the industry. Nevertheless, some industry insiders are spooked; the Creativity Works! coalition (CW), for example, which counts the MPA, ACT, and the Premier League among its members. According to CW, geo-blocking technology is crucial to the creative and cultural industries in Europe. "Geo-blocking is one of the foundations for Europe's creative and cultural sectors, providing Europeans with the means to create, produce, showcase, publish, distribute and finance diverse, high-quality and affordable content," they write.
Banning geo-blocking altogether would be a disaster that puts millions of jobs and hundreds of billions of euros in revenue at risk, CW warns. At the same time, it may result in more expensive subscriptions for many consumers. "Ending geo-blocking's exclusive territorial licensing would threaten 10,000 European cinemas, access to over 8,500 European VOD films and up to half of European film budgets," CW writes. "What's more, over 100 million European fans could pay more to view the same sports coverage, while major digital streaming platforms might be forced to introduce sharp hikes for consumers in many European countries." Understandably, the movie industry is concerned about legislation that upsets the status quo. However, the IMCO report doesn't recommend a wholesale ban on territorial licenses but aims to ensure that content is available in regions where it currently isn't. At this stage, nothing is set in stone, so proposals could change. However, the present recommendations appear to seek a balance between the interests of the entertainment industry and the public at large.
I wonder who lobbied for that (Score:2)
The content industry or VPN providers.
Geo Block It All. (Score:4, Insightful)
No one can watch anything. Problem solved. I know I won't miss anything.
Re: (Score:3)
They won't withdraw, that would be giving up untold billions in revenue.
The issue is that they can currently fleece consumers with geo-blocking. For example, they can charge German viewers more to see German football matches, than they can charge Spanish viewers to see the same ones. Because, obviously, Spanish viewers are not so interested in foreign league games.
If the EU stopped allowing geo-blocking, German viewers would be free to choose which service they get their games from, so the league would have
That which is not mandatory.... (Score:4, Informative)
That which is not mandatory shall be banned!!
-Evil Governments Everywhere
Re: (Score:3)
Why would you suppose something so obviously consumer-hostile, that exists for no other reason than to rip you off and force you to pay more?
The EU is a democratic institution that is supposed to work for the citizens, in their interests. This is exactly what it should be doing - making sure that citizens are in control and get to decide what is fair and allowed, not corporations. Democracy is supposed to be of the people, not of the monopolistic businesses.
Re:That which is not mandatory.... (Score:4, Insightful)
The US model comes to mind, where corporations have no vote but get to decide who can run for an office, and the people, who in turn have no chance to run for that office, can then vote which corporate stooge should rule them.
Re: (Score:2)
Why would you suppose something so obviously consumer-hostile, that exists for no other reason than to rip you off and force you to pay more?
The EU is a democratic institution that is supposed to work for the citizens, in their interests. This is exactly what it should be doing - making sure that citizens are in control and get to decide what is fair and allowed, not corporations. Democracy is supposed to be of the people, not of the monopolistic businesses.
I suspect where he's from, being pro-consumer and writing laws to benefit citizens (and visitors) is considered "Columnist" of something.
Of course he could have just failed the old joke about the German government, "vat is not banned ist permitted, vat ist permitted is mandatory und vat is not mandatory ist banned", I never said it was a funny joke.
Re: (Score:2)
Why would you suppose something so obviously consumer-hostile, that exists for no other reason than to rip you off and force you to pay more?
So what if it is? If you don't like the price, don't fucking buy it!
Re: (Score:2)
And that which is mandatory shall be taxed.
Translation (Score:5, Insightful)
All that blather really means that ending Geo-blocking would take away the hammer that they use to nail the invisible hand of the market to the table and make out like bandits.
Crossing borders to get better prices is not for peons, only their corporate betters can be allowed to do that.
Region 2 (Score:3)
Well in the days of physical media, DVDs had region coding to specific markets. Sure it wasn't hard to get around if you knew what you were doing, but it worked for the Average Joe shopping at Walmart (or your local video store, remember those?). This allowed the industry to price movies according to regional markets, but they couldn't be any more specific than "Europe (minus Belarus, Russia and Ukraine)" or "North America but not Mexico." Now, with streaming, they can be MUCH more specific in regional pricing and restrictions. I guess the always egalitarian European Commission are pining for the heyday of good 'ol Region 2?
Re:Region 2 (Score:4, Insightful)
Well, Region 2 was better than "available in one EU country, but not in another". The EU is supposed to be a common market.
Re: Region 2 (Score:4, Insightful)
The problem is when instead of determining price, regions restrict availability. There aren't physical media for some shows I like in my region, so buying a legal copy for some other region and breaking region restriction is the only option I have. The same applies for some media in streaming as well. I can either use a VPN or wait for it to be released in my country, which may never happen.
Re: (Score:2)
Or, buy a DVD/media player that works for whatever region the media you bought was intended to be sold and/or consumed in.
Re: Region 2 (Score:2)
Why are they pining for Region 2? They want to get rid of geoblocking.
Re: (Score:1)
...rid of geoblocking within the EU. Region 2 covered all of Europe. Streaming services are doing per country geoblocking within the EU.
Country specific requirements (Score:3)
How would this interact with country specific laws like delayed streaming requirements to allow for theaters have exclusivity for a time or requirements to devote a certain percentage of revenue to funding local content of a country?
Would a streaming service just have to abide by the most restrictive country's rules and do something like wait months until a movie is allowed to be streamed in France for example?
Re: (Score:2)
It's likely that geo-blocking based on local content laws would still be allowed, just not based on an arbitrary "fuck you, pay me" basis.
That said, stuff like theatre exclusivity is already harmonized EU wide by the businesses involved, and in fact harmonized world-wide. Thanks to piracy, as soon as something is available in one area, it is available in all areas, so they all get to wait for a global start-of-streaming day.
Re: (Score:3)
How would this interact with country specific laws like delayed streaming requirements to allow for theaters have exclusivity for a time or requirements to devote a certain percentage of revenue to funding local content of a country?
Would a streaming service just have to abide by the most restrictive country's rules and do something like wait months until a movie is allowed to be streamed in France for example?
Honestly, they should go too.
There is no logistical reason to not release world wide any more, especially when it comes to streaming. If you delayed the theatrical release in France, then you effectively have a shorter window for exclusivity.
Same with region coding, although hardly anyone buys physical media any more.
Re: (Score:2)
How would this interact with country specific laws like delayed streaming requirements ..
Well they could write law so that Region Exclusivity or restriction by license agreement has a maximum Legal duration starting from the date that work was first published or aired to the public, for example 30 days, And Only region-exclusive content Within that limited time period may be Geoblocked.
And that they can still Geoblock content which would be Illegal to display within the country they are blocking it from,
Big Mommy corporatist DRM (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Good thing that EU wants to ban geoblocking then.
Welcome to Schengen, free trade zone (Score:2)
..where there is no more borders for people, goods, and services, only for media.
Good thing this geo-restriction goes: why should one not be allowed to watch games or other content from back home when on the move for leisure or for work?
Re: Welcome to Schengen, free trade zone (Score:2)
Oh shit. I read that wrong. Eek.
millions of jobs and hundreds of billions of euros (Score:5, Insightful)
yeah .... right.
Affordable? Yeah, right! (Score:2)
Geo-blocking is one of the foundations for Europe's creative and cultural sectors, providing Europeans with the means to create, produce, showcase, publish, distribute and finance diverse, high-quality and affordable content,
That's about as believable as the mega corporations that want to merge, saying "This merger will provide cost savings that we can pass along to our customers!"
Re: (Score:3)
I'm surprised they didn't mention "innovation", seemed like every PR stooge was checking that off for ages. Maybe more of a US thing, gets congress to obey.
single market (Score:5, Insightful)
Geo-blocking is a direct and blatant violation of the EU single market.
Re: (Score:2)
Yes but geoblocking is just an technical method to enforce the regional distribution rights that already existed previously (e.g. purchasing TV rights for some markets only). It's that regionalization that is contrary to the EU single market though it's widespread in sports and entertainment. Banning geo-blocking only means they will have to work around the wording of the ban.
Re:single market (Score:4, Insightful)
Enforcing that regional distribution rights is also a violation of the single market doctrine. It's regional protection, something the single market doctrine is allegedly supposed to disallow.
Geoblocking is not needed. (Score:4, Insightful)
Geoblocking has no legitimate reason to exist, especially on streaming platforms. Streaming platforms can tell exactly what content you are watching, and should be able to distribute your subscription revenue between the various content producers that you watch, regardless of what country or region you are in. Especially when you are watching it on a paid subscription where there are no ads, therefore not even the weak excuse that they have to limit regional viewability because of advertisement or marketing reasons.
The practice of geoblocking is purely a mechanism to leverage the state granted monopoly rights and unfairly gouge customers, and should be banned.
I really hope the EU manages to stamp this out, and that Australia follows suit
Re: (Score:1)
What about the fact that some content is illegal or banned by some countries?
For example...while it may be legal to stream "Nymphomaniac" in the U.S., sure it's not legal to stream it in Saudi Arabia.
Re: (Score:2)
Is a strategy to maximize profits "no legitimate reason to exist"? If bread is going for a buck a loaf and someone decides to sell "fancy" bread for $5 a loaf, should they be outlawed? Or if they decide to sell the $1/loaf bread for $10/loaf, should they be allowed?
Re: (Score:1)
Geoblocking isn't offering a better product - its enabling charging a different price for the same product, based on location - for example in Australia, historically we often have to pay much more for the exact same moves, locked by region code. Even though Australia has a (slightly) lower GDP per capita than the US, but we had historically paid more for movies and music, and geo locking made sure this continued, even as globalization made tt easier to buy other goods from overseas.
If geoblocking is base
Re: (Score:2)
Just because you or I don't like it doesn't mean something shouldn't exist. The act of "enabling charging a different price for the same product, based on location" happens all over the place and people don't think it should be legislated. Have you ever tried to buy a Coke at the movie theater or in an airport? Guess what? They cost a lot more based on location for the same product.
oh they are so full of it (Score:5, Insightful)
Ban geoblocking of all content. Throw those "rights societies" under the bus and run over them a few times for good measure.
No good comes from geoblocking. Ever. But if you want to ensure the ban on geoblocking is a net positive, you have to return control to the original creators and tell these middlemen to fuck off. Otherwise it will just be the middlemen choosing not to publish things for price discrimination reasons, and then an underground bootlegging operation will just keep going like it does now.
For those who have no idea... geoblocking's SOLE and ONLY purpose is to secure more income for the middleman. It does nothing for the creator but prevent them from being exposed to bigger audiences. You can see this effect on youtube. A music video that is limited to only the country the song was released in? Ends up with 100's of pirate copies on youtube within weeks because people want to share it with their friends. Yet if it's globally available, all those pirate copies are drowned out by the original being the only thing people can see.
It's so incredibly annoying to want to buy a song that was released only in Europe or Asia, because iTunes won't let you buy from that store unless you have a credit card with an address in that country. That needs to go the fuck away.
This also applies to films and video games. Though in fairness, usually a video game that hasn't been localized is not going to result in an increase in sales unless an official translation happens or a fan-translation/mod is released.
Re:oh they are so full of it (Score:4, Insightful)
Ban geoblocking of all content. Throw those "rights societies" under the bus and run over them a few times for good measure.
No good comes from geoblocking. Ever. But if you want to ensure the ban on geoblocking is a net positive, you have to return control to the original creators and tell these middlemen to fuck off. Otherwise it will just be the middlemen choosing not to publish things for price discrimination reasons, and then an underground bootlegging operation will just keep going like it does now.
For those who have no idea... geoblocking's SOLE and ONLY purpose is to secure more income for the middleman. It does nothing for the creator but prevent them from being exposed to bigger audiences. You can see this effect on youtube. A music video that is limited to only the country the song was released in? Ends up with 100's of pirate copies on youtube within weeks because people want to share it with their friends. Yet if it's globally available, all those pirate copies are drowned out by the original being the only thing people can see.
It's so incredibly annoying to want to buy a song that was released only in Europe or Asia, because iTunes won't let you buy from that store unless you have a credit card with an address in that country. That needs to go the fuck away.
This also applies to films and video games. Though in fairness, usually a video game that hasn't been localized is not going to result in an increase in sales unless an official translation happens or a fan-translation/mod is released.
This.
Geoblocking has become such a problem for most places in the world that it's become easier to pirate again.
Even in the UK, when a new series is released that's not on the BBC, first port of call is RARBG or similar. It's not even worth seeing if it's on streaming services and even if it is, chances are it's £2.99 an episode on top of the £80 odd I'm paying a year.
Re: (Score:2)
Lots of good stuff, but you don't actually understand what those "rights societies" do, right?
Pricing woes (Score:5, Informative)
Geo blocking is a blunt instrument to solve pricing difficulty. How much extra expenses will there be from one more person in any country streaming a movie on a movie rental platform? Close to zero.
Can everyone pay close to 0? No, because then they'd never recover the cost of producing the movie. So you want everybody who will watch it to pay an equal amount? But, how many will watch it will change based on the price!
The amount of money that gives the optimal amount of revenue is different in different countries, based on the average income level. So they want geoblocks in order to be able to price "according to the customer's means".
However, this is very blunt instrument, because in every country there's also going to be missed income from those that are poorer than the average citizen, and arguable it might also be possible to extract more revenue from the richest.
I propose we train a series of adversal AIs on consumer behaviour and have them price negotiate with every individual consumer instead of implementing geoblocking. Problem solved!
Luckily there's also competition in the form of torrents. I think, since streaming became available I haven't really checked.
Re:Pricing woes (Score:4, Insightful)
Indeed. They're pricing it at the level "the market will bear" which is one of the most annoying ways to price goods I can think of. Well, now they can no longer finetune it to extract the maximum profit from each area, and I'm totally fine with that. I really hope we will get a common market for digital goods as well.
In the short run, things may get more expensive for people in lower-income areas. In the long run, I expect this to balance out.
Such nonsense (Score:4, Insightful)
Banning geo blocking won't put any jobs at risk, aside from the people employed to implement it.
I also believe that these measures are easy to circumvent and just incentivize people into buying "dodgy boxes" that illegally stream channels and movies unencumbered by this crap. So not only are current measures not saving jobs, they're actually creating a market for illegal streaming, piracy and criminal enterprise.
If the sports broadcasters had *any* sense they'd embrace the regulations and provide a service that streams to anywhere in the EU for a reasonable fee - take the wind out of the sails of the pirates.
Wont someone think of the artists??? (Score:3)
Ah, yes, of course this is only ever about the European artists and protecting them⦠Wont someone think of those poor artists?
diminishing returns (Score:1)
I feel so sorry for the EU. It just keeps getting harder and harder to find things to ban.