Netflix wants to get rid of geographical restrictions

[Rohith_Kumar_Sp]

Even if this is done, there still is the issue that the rest of the world's internet is not on par or is just bad and horrible.

It is no secret that plenty of Netflix subscribers use a VPN to access content from other countries, mainly the US as it tends to have the most relevant library of content. It is also no shock that Hollywood companies aren’t too happy about this practice, but instead of blocking out VPN users, Netflix wants to remove the need to use one.
 

Netflix just launched in Australia and while the subscription service is perfectly legal, using a VPN to access  content outside of your region technically is not. For movie and TV studios, geographical licensing agreements are a major part of their business but the VPN problem can be easily fixed if companies would offer their content globally without restrictions, according to Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings.
 

 

According to Hastings, the use of VPNs is a pretty small-scale issue in the face of proper piracy and is actually very easy to make obsolete: “The VPN thing is a small little asterisk compared to piracy. Piracy is really the problem around the world.”
 

VPN users are clearly willing to pay, they just can’t to the content they want on locally:

“The basic solution is for Netflix to get global and have its content be the same all around the world so there’s no incentive to use a VPN. Then we can work on the more important part which is piracy”.

 

 

Lack of availability is often the root cause of VPN use and tradition piracy in some cases. However, it still remains to be seen if traditional media studios will make the switch and begin dealing out licenses globally, rather than keeping things locked down per region.

Reference Article on the Forum :

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/296033-netflix-says-piracy-service-popcorn-time-is-a-real-competitor/

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/284980-netflix-cracking-down-on-vpn-users/

Source : https://torrentfreak.com/netflix-wants-to-make-vpn-piracy-obsolete-150325/

[ChineseChef]

Let me sum it this another way, "We want to make endless money hand over fist".

 

If they offered a global catalog, it would either be awesome, or terrible.

[MrSuperb]

why would i use a vpn if a proxy is sufficient ...

[DavidTheWin]

The rest of the world's internet (at least in the areas most likely to watch Netflix[citation needed]) is probably actually on par with America or better. Europe's connections are significantly better in general than in America for example.

[UnofficialPotato]

The rest of the world's internet (at least in the areas most likely to watch Netflix[citation needed]) is probably actually on par with America or better. Europe's connections are significantly better in general than in America for example.

You should have highlighted the in general part. I live in rural Ireland and I get about a 3mb download and 2mb upload, roughly round 50ping

[DacStugly]

there is a possibility this move by Netflix will force certain countries ISP to censor the internet. Sigh..

[Flight1sim]

Well that's also one of the reasons VPN companies thrive so..

[DigitalHermit]

I want this to happen... but not until our country's banking system gets its head out of its arsch and make getting debit accounts cheaper... 15k PhP to open an account is not that easy to come by...

[Yoinkerman]

Good. Region locks should have been left in the last millenium.

[MrCthuntoo]

If they made this happen I would re-subscribe to their service in an instant.

[haloharry97]

If they made this happen I would re-subscribe to their service in an instant.

i think all of the uk will, all video online service in the uk suck ass, we pay the same but get 1/100 less content and we get the videos at a later date

[PerfectTemplar]

Using a vpn to get around geoblocking is legal in Australia OP..

[pawan1993]

This is the reason why people pirate movies and TV shows so often in Australia. Geoblocking is basically the middle finger to those who are willing to pay for content and pushes them towards piracy where it's much easier to get the content you want than to pay for it and then use a VPN or proxy server for the shows you want. Props to Netflix for reminding the industry that people who pay for media are not the real problem in the industry.

 

Really hope that someone pushes Foxtel off its high horse. Foxtel is one of the biggest reasons why geoblocking happens in the first place and because they're so bloody expensive I'd probably be going elsewhere for the shows I want ***cough***Game of Thrones***cough***.

[Rohith_Kumar_Sp]

Using a vpn to get around geoblocking is legal in Australia OP..

being said Netfix wont allow it none the less 

[sylarspock]

would be awesome to use Netflix here without switching on my VPN first everytime 

[PerfectTemplar]

being said Netfix wont allow it none the less 

I've been doing it for about 18 months now. When I switch between regions it just says "I see you've been travelling with Netflix!"

[Albatross]

I can't tell if this would be good or bad. If they removed the restrictions, awesome, but there's that feeling...

[PortentousLad]

You and me both pal.