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