Territory Restriction!

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Filip Fong
204 forum
Posts: 1661
Territory Restriction! -
28 August 2007, at 13:52
Like many others, I use BeatPort alot to download my mp3's.

First, I listen to a track, listen to the different mixes of it, make some decisions, press "buy", and there it is : Territory Restricted, One or more of the items you've selected for purchase are unavailable in your territory: Ferry Corsten - Beautiful (Re:Locate Remix)

The remix isn't exactly new, so I wonder why this happens.

I've used beatport since it's beginning, and then they didn't have any information regarding this, so back then I've sent them an e-mail. I didn't get an answer.

So, when this happend again today, I got alittle mad.. why why why.. So, I checked if they got some info on this now, and they did. Here it is :

"If you receive a territory restriction message, your particular region of the world (detected by the location of the transaction) is limited from this track through this label.
We recommend looking for the territory restricted tracks under the "ALL" search function. Sometimes the tracks will share rights with another label which is available in your region. Also, you may want to view our forum for additional help and suggestions."

Well, ok..

In the forum I read that a guy bought his mp3 directly from the label of the tune he wanted when beatport failed, and that was no problem, so I went over to Flashover Recordings. In the shop section they had 2 links, to beatport and Dance Tunes. So now I go to Dance Tunes, and yes, there I can buy it.

Why make it so hard to buy a tune..

Here is some quotes from the beatport forum :

This :

Q : I dont get those restrictions either. I wanted to buy a track of Don Diablo's and I got a Territory Restriction pop up. Don Diablo is a Dutch DJ and quess who lives there too.
YES, Im Dutch too.. I mean wtf? I dont get the clue :\

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A : immagine you are an artist, got a song and trying to find a label in holland that would release it.
none of the labels in holland are interested in releasing your track. hmm what to do....then you get an offer (or find a label yourself) from USA. they will be happy to release your track. you are happy too.
the label will distribute your track around USA and usual territory restrictions apply for the rest of the world (including holland).
now, there is a customer somewhere in amsterdam trying to figure out why he cant buy a dutch artist back at home. sitting in front his pc thinking "WTF BEATPORT!"
you know why now?
simple. 

And this :

As many of you may already know, these restrictions have always been around, but were just not as noticeable as they are today. For example, in the past when you went into a record store to buy your music you only had access to what the distributors were allowed to sell. Similarily, the agreements that we have made with our labels can limit the areas where a release may be sold if it is already available by another, more prominent label in those regions. Release dates can vary from label to label as well. Some releases that are available in all territories may not be available everywhere at the same time. In fact, a lot of the limitations that we deal with now are still based on standards that were set by physical distribution. We are working hard to change some of these outdated practices, however, we always try to keep in mind and respect the fact that our labels are trusting us with their most valuable asset.

At the end of the day we are all here for the music, and we would love to see worldwide rights on all tracks. Until that is possible, we feel that keeping a more extensive label catalog brings us one step closer to reaching our goal.

I get it, but I don't... ( and I still use BeatPort, it's not their fault! :) )
It's about music! Not one music style is better than the other, not one music style is more truly than the other. The whole thing is based on respect. It's all music, music never separates people!
Marjan
TrancePodium Staff
1 forum
Posts: 11088
# Re: Territory Restriction! - 28 August 2007, at 16:29
Originally posted by Filip

As many of you may already know, these restrictions have always been around, but were just not as noticeable as they are today. For example, in the past when you went into a record store to buy your music you only had access to what the distributors were allowed to sell. Similarily, the agreements that we have made with our labels can limit the areas where a release may be sold if it is already available by another, more prominent label in those regions. Release dates can vary from label to label as well. Some releases that are available in all territories may not be available everywhere at the same time. In fact, a lot of the limitations that we deal with now are still based on standards that were set by physical distribution. We are working hard to change some of these outdated practices, however, we always try to keep in mind and respect the fact that our labels are trusting us with their most valuable asset.

At the end of the day we are all here for the music, and we would love to see worldwide rights on all tracks. Until that is possible, we feel that keeping a more extensive label catalog brings us one step closer to reaching our goal.


I'd understand this if it's for hard copies, but digital downloads?

Doesn't make much sense. Why wouldn't I be able to buy an mp3 here from Macedonia while someone from the USA can?
starburst
Unknown
Posts: 180
# Re: Territory Restriction! - 28 August 2007, at 18:32
i've had the same problem andwhat I especially don't understand is OK, if it's a pre release, then yeah the labels want to be exclusive. But I've been trying to be a remix for a year now and all the sites have restrictions.  It's been out for a year. What's the point now?
R33
TrancePodium Staff
44 forum
Posts: 3256
# Re: Territory Restriction! - 28 August 2007, at 20:46
Just the opther day when I was buying Johan Gielen - Revelations I got this.

Of course there were a total of three releases for this one, and The black hole recordings one was able to be purchased.

Its strange that this happenes on beatport, as if you use Audiojelly, I have never received this problem.

(I too stil use beatport as well though.)
# Re: Territory Restriction! - 30 August 2007, at 08:21
personally i think it is all BS, not to mention silly.  i really cant be bothered with beatport so i dont have this problem  but anyway i think we all have to realise as with anything  it all boils down to competition. if one label pushing trance has released its artists work in the US you would be damn sure if another label tried to get its artist some breathing space there you would have legal battles and fierce competition to boot em out. So to keep the peace and, realistically to stay in business the middleman (beatport, Audiojelly, e.t.c.) has to replicate. well thats how i see it anyways.

in fact the reason why this even exists kinda confuses me. old standards for new tech? a kinda big contradiction there. not to mention how many people this must piss off on a daily basis.

yuk. i suggest a revamp of standards worldwide.