Geo-Blocking, Defeating the Internet One Jurisdiction at a Time?

Geo-Blocking is the practice of restricting online content to computers located within specific physical locations, and it is on the rise.

The websites of Hulu and NBC engage in Geo-Blocking of popular television shows, preventing European users from accessing their full streaming content. Similarly, Youtube has very recently blocked access to music videos to users in the United Kingdom(1).

Copyright holders argue that controlling online streaming of recently aired shows etc. is necessary to allow for worldwide syndication. However, copyright holders need to realise the advantages of extending their online streaming services to the rest of the world. Such as increased online advertising revenue and extra publicity care of internet "word of mouth". That and the fact that they would be embracing the internet and its benefits rather than continuing to try and limit and control it.

Of course the internet has responded to Geo-Blocking in the usual manner...by circumventing the restrictions(2). Perhaps a change of tactics is needed by copyright holders.

Footnotes

(1) http://out-law.com/page-9854
(2) http://www.thestar.com/Unassigned/article/583846