| I'm a huge fan of reality shows. The most recent | | | | mention expensive. Asia is at the forefront of |
| one I've been following is Rockstar INXS - the | | | | technology and mp3's are the format of choice. |
| show which follows the super 80's Australian | | | | So why aren't there more channels available to |
| band, INXS, and their search for a new lead | | | | the Asian markets?So, what did I end up doing? I |
| singer.If you haven't seen it, it's a great show, the | | | | did what MSN support told me to do, visit other |
| music and performances are incredible (blows | | | | regional MSN sites like Singapore and Australia to |
| American Idol or any Idol show out of the water). | | | | see whether I could find the music there. I found |
| The other great thing about this show is that the | | | | music but not the Rockstar songs from the show |
| voting (everyone gets to vote for their favourite | | | | I was looking for. Getting a little frustrated and |
| singer) let's people all over the world vote for | | | | agitated at the fact they really didn't want to |
| their favourite singer where most other shows | | | | make money off me by making it EXTREMELY |
| restrict interactions to American audiences only.Of | | | | difficult for me to buy from them.After all this, |
| course, after each show is over, the music is | | | | there is a point I'm trying to make (actually two |
| available to download from the MSN music site. | | | | points):I'm sure the artists and the producers of |
| So, after hearing some great music, I quickly | | | | the show could have made double, three times |
| logged on and went straight to the MSN music | | | | maybe even ten times the sales they made if |
| site and decided to PAY FOR the music | | | | they made the song downloads available to the |
| downloads. I was more than happy to contribute | | | | rest of the world or at least to the other |
| and give these deserving artists what they | | | | markets that the show was playing in (i.e. |
| deserved.But guess what? The music downloads | | | | Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong, etc) - Lesson to |
| are only available to US audiences! I quickly | | | | be learned: Don't make it difficult for your |
| contacted MSN support, "Where can someone | | | | customers or potential customers to buy from |
| outside of the US buy this music?" They quickly | | | | youPiracy and intellectual property infringement IS |
| and politely replied and said that it is presently only | | | | a problem in Asia. However, it could be less of a |
| available to the US market but music will be | | | | problem if companies would understand that a |
| available in other markets later. Later? How much | | | | normal person in Mumbai, Bangkok or Beijing isn't |
| later? The shows already over!Look at iTunes, | | | | going to pay (or afford to pay) US$20+ for a CD. |
| that's only available to US, Canada and the UK as | | | | On the other hand US$0.99 per song download |
| well. What about the rest of the world?It's kind of | | | | sounds reasonable and most people could afford |
| strange when I hear complaints about the piracy | | | | that, assuming they had internet access, but |
| problem in Asia, not to say there isn't, but | | | | without a reasonable access channel to these |
| companies aren't helping themselves if they don't | | | | affordable alternatives where else are they |
| make legitimate copies available from the right | | | | supposed to go to satisfy their demand? |
| channels. Where else are consumers supposed to | | | | Wayne Po is the founder and publisher of ( an |
| turn to if they have no legitimate outlet to buy | | | | online magazine helping overseas businesses who |
| from?Let's face it, CDs are so 90's. Not to | | | | want to expand and do business in Asia. |