By STEPHANIE HOO, Associated Press Writer
BEIJING - Taking its battle against rampant piracy of films and music to the front lines, Warner Home Video said Thursday it will sell cut-rate DVDs in China in a bid to compete on the counterfeiters' home turf.
Basic DVDs, to be available shortly after a film's theatrical release, will sell in China for as little as 22 yuan ($2.65), the company announced. That's still more than the pirated versions readily available in China for 8 yuan ($1).
"But we think with earlier availability, better quality, assured quality, more sophisticated retailing and the fact that it's the real thing, that we can compete," said Jim Cardwell, president of Warner Home Video, a division of Time Warner Inc.
Warner's basic versions will not carry any DVD extras such as directors' interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the company said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm.../20050225/ap_on_bi_ge/china_warner_home_video
The article goes on to note that Warner will continue to screw over US customers with DVD pricing, to which they respond "I don't that's an issue. I think that historically, prices of entertainment around the world have always been different country to country."
Gee, thanks Warner. I guess the lesson to be learned here is that if piracy is rampant enough, we'll start getting cheaper DVDs out of a company's desperation. Check.
BEIJING - Taking its battle against rampant piracy of films and music to the front lines, Warner Home Video said Thursday it will sell cut-rate DVDs in China in a bid to compete on the counterfeiters' home turf.
Basic DVDs, to be available shortly after a film's theatrical release, will sell in China for as little as 22 yuan ($2.65), the company announced. That's still more than the pirated versions readily available in China for 8 yuan ($1).
"But we think with earlier availability, better quality, assured quality, more sophisticated retailing and the fact that it's the real thing, that we can compete," said Jim Cardwell, president of Warner Home Video, a division of Time Warner Inc.
Warner's basic versions will not carry any DVD extras such as directors' interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the company said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm.../20050225/ap_on_bi_ge/china_warner_home_video
The article goes on to note that Warner will continue to screw over US customers with DVD pricing, to which they respond "I don't that's an issue. I think that historically, prices of entertainment around the world have always been different country to country."
Gee, thanks Warner. I guess the lesson to be learned here is that if piracy is rampant enough, we'll start getting cheaper DVDs out of a company's desperation. Check.
