http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-...39077F49-prod6
---
Law Breaking
According to OpenDVD.org, DVD players with region codes are illegal in New Zealand. Additionally, DVD regions are rumored to violate certain World Trade Organization laws. I do not have access to the WTO laws, and I have not seen the actual passage which states the law, so I cannot verify this rumor. If anyone finds information on this, PLEASE email me.
---
http://www.codefreedvd.com/dvd_dvdre...gexplained.htm
---
Why are there 6 regions?
Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan 6 months later, and Europe 12 months after US release. In some instances, DVD movies are available for purchase in America and Canada before they are released in European cinemas.
Due to the high quality of DVD and the movie release system used by Hollywood, 5 regions were establish to prevent people from watching Region 1 movies before they were released on Regions 2-6.
---
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/pi...ay/016288.html
---
REGIONAL restrictions on DVDs could be an anti-competitive practice and a
breach of the Trade Practices Act, the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission has warned.
---
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/archive.../msg06461.html
---
Recent Slashdot posters have referred to a possible
case where DMCA differences with WIPO and the DVD
region coding might be considered by the European
Community to be in restraint of free international
trade.
---
http://www.accc.gov.au/speeches/2001...3%5F4%5F01.htm