KVR Audio

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:05 pm

This is so annoying

http://www.hdtracks.co.uk/high-priestess-of-soul-135828

it's a UK site but much of the stuff I actually want to buy in HD format is 'not available due to region restrictions'. It's about time this despicable practice was overturned once and for all.

Are there any sites that don't punish buyers with these unfair restrictions?

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:34 pm

http://www.hdtracks.co.uk/faq#19

Q: I live in a country outside of the United States. Are there territory restrictions?
A: Due to agreements with our member labels, there are certain restrictions on which territories we are allowed to sell certain content to. However, every day we are adding more territories to our agreements, so if you are able to see and order our content, then you may download it!

So it doesn't quite work like that?

[edit] you can try the Hola or GeoProxy plugins for Chrome, so the site thinks you're located somewhere else...

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:02 pm

It's weird though because this is their .co.uk site, I would understand their .com site having content geared more for US users but I rather expected the Uk site to have stuff I can actually buy in the UK but much of what I would like to buy in HD it's not allowing - so why even show it?

I would love to see someone legally challenge this wholly monopolistic stitch up the big media companies have going for them.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:31 pm

aMUSEd wrote:It's weird though because this is their .co.uk site, I would understand their .com site having content geared more for US users but I rather expected the Uk site to have stuff I can actually buy in the UK but much of what I would like to buy in HD it's not allowing - so why even show it?

I ask myself this question every time I browse Amazon, add some stuff to my cart only be told they won't ship to my country. Then why show it in the first place?

Answer: because their web designers are shite.

AsPeeXXXVIII · Post by **AsPeeXXXVIII** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:34 am

Why is this a thing anyway? You'd think that digital downloads of all damn things wouldn't be restricted to certain regions. It makes no sense.

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:39 am

Possibly the record labels have contracts with local distributors that grant them exclusive rights on distributing their stuff to their local market.

So find what label did the original publishing, and ask them where to obtain a copy within your region.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:40 pm

AsPeeXXXVIII wrote:Why is this a thing anyway? You'd think that digital downloads of all damn things wouldn't be restricted to certain regions. It makes no sense.

Exactly - it's just some scheme the big companies have to control access to media

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:44 pm

On the other hand, what "the big companies" do could easily be in agreement with the artists (and therefor in their interest) too, see the GEMA in Germany. I don't know why there are region specific differences in the availability of different quality os digital music content, but, assuming that's because the big companies want to restrict may be a shot fired too quickly.

Getting round region restrictions on HD music