A VPN and How It Is Affecting Australia
According to Cnet, Australian copyright holders want to ban access to Netflix via VPNs, for all US-produced movies and shows. What is a VPN? It is a Virtual Private Network that allows users to access services by using a server based in the US. The server can then make it seem that users are physically located in the US. This is something that Australian users can use to access their favorite shows and movies through online streaming giant, Netflix. Netflix is not yet available in Australia.
Currently, it doesn’t seem that copyright holders are going to get their way – since it would be completely out of the question to ban all VPN access. However, Netflix does have the option to remove users’ ability to connect via IPs (which are associated with VPN services). This is a move that Hulu made earlier in the year, but on the other side, US users were affected. When VPNs are cut, it not only would block Australia but also US subscribers that often travel for work and watch shows on Netflix.
Cutting VPN Access May Not Be the Answer
Aside from affecting more than one group of users, it wouldn’t prevent people from being able to access their own server and then using it as a VPN connection. In addition, with the low price of VPS (virtual private server) boxes, people can easily build their own VPN with free software. Since the process isn’t a difficult one, it probably wouldn’t stop most users from trying it out. Giving them access to any geo-locked US service and allowing them to seem “present” in the US.
Simon Bush, CEO of AHEDA, stated, “I know the discussions are being had…by the distributors in the United States with Netflix about Australians using VPNs to access content that they’re not licensed to access in Australia. They’re requesting for it to be blocked now, not just when it comes to Australia.”
Australian Users Will Likely Experience Disappointment
Upon the arrival of Netflix in Australia, people are expecting it to deliver the same content as US Netflix. Australians will without a doubt compare the two.
Bush said, “What I think will be fascinating is when they do launch, and if it’s 1 cent more than the US service and has one piece less than the US service, there will be people up in arms, but I guarantee both of those things will likely happen.”
It appears that Netflix has some work to do – hopefully they can find a happy medium for Australian users so that everyone wins!
Source: Cnet.com