Australians urged to 'lawfully evade' unfair prices on digital goods

[Chevy57]

A federal parliamentary committee has recommended that consumers find ways to lawfully evade technology that allows IT companies to charge up to twice as much for their products in Australia.

Companies can use geo-blocking to stop Australian consumers from buying their products online in other countries.

Australians urged to 'lawfully evade' unfair prices on digital goods

 

[VacationGuy234]

I don't understand how this helps the Australian government. It basically is allowing the stealing of content so businesses would be smart to stay away from that country. While they are trying to correct the price difference they are also facilitating access to content that is not supposed to be available in that country, Hulu for example.

I would think the better way to handle it would be to negotiate access at a reasonable price. The idea should be to promote business instead of discourage it.

More importantly, I see no reason why Australia shouldn't invest heavily in it's own IT infrastructure.

 

[SimonJ]

I don't understand how this helps the Australian government. It basically is allowing the stealing of content so businesses would be smart to stay away from that country. While they are trying to correct the price difference they are also facilitating access to content that is not supposed to be available in that country, Hulu for example.

I would think the better way to handle it would be to negotiate access at a reasonable price. The idea should be to promote business instead of discourage it.

More importantly, I see no reason why Australia shouldn't invest heavily in it's own IT infrastructure.

It is not stealing, we are happy to pay for everything, just not with an extra tax because we're on the other side of the world.

I buy from US and EU sites rather than AU sites because even with shipping it is cheaper. How is that fair?

We are not talking about infrastructure, but basics like software and phones.

 

[sequoias]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

Bonks head once....

 

[VacationGuy234]

It is not stealing, we are happy to pay for everything, just not with an extra tax because we're on the other side of the world.

The geo-blocking is there to stop people in other countries from seeing content from another country. If you get around the geo-blocking, you are basically taking content.

That's my point: The solution is not attacking the problem.

If you want to solve the tax problem, the government should impose or remove a tariff on the country of origin until an agreement can be reached. If the government wants it's citizens to have products from another country, it needs to facilitate that with the producers of those products and the government of those producers. If those products are too expensive, the government should either completely block those products; create their own products or find a way to make the price cheaper through the distribution.

EDIT: Are you also saying Australia is incapable of making software and phones?

 

[jonnyghost]

The geo-blocking is there to stop people in other countries from seeing content from another country. If you get around the geo-blocking, you are basically taking content.

That's my point: The solution is not attacking the problem.

If you want to solve the tax problem, the government should impose or remove a tariff on the country of origin until an agreement can be reached. If the government wants it's citizens to have products from another country, it needs to facilitate that with the producers of those products and the government of those producers. If those products are too expensive, the government should either completely block those products; create their own products or find a way to make the price cheaper through the distribution.

EDIT: Are you also saying Australia is incapable of making software and phones?

You think we make phones in the US?

 

[jonnyghost]

I see why the geo-blocking is there but why is this happening? "Australians are being overcharged by as much as 66 percent on digitally-distributed Apple, Microsoft and Adobe products"

If they are just being gouged then I understand their frustration.

 

[Jiro]

I don't understand how this helps the Australian government. It basically is allowing the stealing of content so businesses would be smart to stay away from that country. While they are trying to correct the price difference they are also facilitating access to content that is not supposed to be available in that country, Hulu for example.

I would think the better way to handle it would be to negotiate access at a reasonable price. The idea should be to promote business instead of discourage it.

More importantly, I see no reason why Australia shouldn't invest heavily in it's own IT infrastructure.

no.

A federal parliamentary committee has recommended that consumers find ways to lawfully evade technology that allows IT companies to charge up to twice as much for their products in Australia.

 

[VacationGuy234]

I see why the geo-blocking is there but why is this happening? "Australians are being overcharged by as much as 66 percent on digitally-distributed Apple, Microsoft and Adobe products"

If they are just being gouged then I understand their frustration.

I'm not saying being overcharged is right(I'm overcharged every month on my internet bill). I'm saying criminal activity as a response to being overcharged is not going to solve anything. It's the reason they don't make DVDs anymore because they can't protect the content. And, the result of that is a subscription service which is must more costly than owning the product itself(not to mention the invasion of privacy). The fact is: Because of piracy all honest people are paying a higher price.

It doesn't matter where phones are made, the point is that Australia can make them too.

The U.S. had an oil dependency problem so what did it do? It made it so it will be the biggest energy producer instead of stealing the oil. The next time someone wants to rig oil prices it's not going to affect the U.S.

 

[jonnyghost]

As Jiro pointed out "recommended that consumers find ways to lawfully"

 

[Jiro]

I'm not saying being overcharged is right(I'm overcharged every month on my internet bill).

so why aren't you calling them up to complain? I can guarantee you right now that you can reduce your bill if you pick up that phone and flex that "customer is always right" muscle. you can have it reduced again a few months later too! it was so comically easy that I'm surprised many people just complain about being overcharged and yet.... do nothing about it.

a homework for you - http://www.threethriftyguys.com/2012/12/how-to-lower-your-comcast-bill/ (it works for Time Warner and Verizon FiOS)

I'm saying criminal activity as a response to being overcharged is not going to solve anything. It's the reason they don't make DVDs anymore because they can't protect the content. And, the result of that is a subscription service which is must more costly than owning the product itself(not to mention the invasion of privacy). The fact is: Because of piracy all honest people are paying a higher price.

It doesn't matter where phones are made, the point is that Australia can make them too.

The U.S. had an oil dependency problem so what did it do? It made it so it will be the biggest energy producer instead of stealing the oil. The next time someone wants to rig oil prices it's not going to affect the U.S.

I don't know if you're aware of this but Australia is one of the biggest enforcers on internet piracy....

 

[VacationGuy234]

As Jiro pointed out "recommended that consumers find ways to lawfully"

Lawfully meaning they don't get prosecuted by their own government. It does not mean it is not stealing. To the company and country making the product it will not be viewed as lawful and they will pass on the cost. Bottom line, the move will only raise prices for other people buying the products.

Somalia condones piracy because it helps their economy, should we let all countries highjack ships?

 

[Jiro]

Lawfully meaning they don't get prosecuted by their own government. It does not mean it is not stealing. To the company and country making the product it will not be viewed as lawful and they will pass on the cost. Bottom line, the move will only raise prices for other people buying the products.

incorrect. again.... Australia is one of the biggest proponents on internet piracy.

Somalia condones piracy because it helps their economy, should we let all countries highjack ships?

incorrect.

Somalia charts new course in battle against piracy - Sabahionline.com
Somaliland Government Appoints Committee To Combat Piracy*|*Somalilandpress.com | Somali News Online from Somaliland – Somalia and Horn of Africa
AP: Somali government knows details on pirates - USATODAY.com

 

[jonnyghost]

Hey it's their country and their laws. If they where breaking international laws (like Somalian pirates are) then it wouldn't be lawful.

 

[Jiro]

Hey it's their country and their laws. If they where breaking international laws (like Somalian pirates are) then it wouldn't be lawful.

The Somali government has never condoned such a thing. It's just that there was barely any government or military at all to govern a country.... let alone to police its own coastal zone.

 

[jonnyghost]

I wasn't sure that's why I said it's breaking international laws. Either way if they break the law it's not lawful

 

[VacationGuy234]

jonnyghost, this will work for the country in the short term. However, it's only a matter of time before they patch the ego-location hole.

Personally, I've done away with cable and get movies from the library(I do stream some stuff). As for software, most of what I use is open-source.

Australia does have a bigger distribution issue for solid items and I know people who have friends ship things overseas for them.

 

[whiskeyonesix]

You're right about the distribution issue. It costs more to ship stuff here, and a little bit extra if you live in Perth like me and SimonJ do.
I buy all my books online from the UK (free shipping, and cheaper prices) my Music is again bought online from my friends Record shop, clothes..... well clothes can be cheap if you shop around...
What I do find expensive are Data Charges. A$80 a month for 20gb mobile internet... not many offer Unlimited Data packages, and the companies that do are so oversubscribed that their service is prety much useless..
People should be free to shop around. Free Trade right?