Xbox Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/netflix-upholds-geoblocking-rules-amid-reports-of-crackdown-1.2889895 Netflix has reiterated that users should not try to access content licensed for streaming in other countries. It issued a statement upholding its long-standing policy in response to a media report that it had begun cracking down on services that help users alter their locations. Canadian Netflix users can access TV shows and movies licensed for the American market by using a free or subscription-based online service to make it look as if they have a U.S. IP address. There are various ways to change your IP address to make it seem as if you are in another country, including through virtual private network (VPN) software and web-based proxy sites or domain name hosting services (DNS). These geoblocking circumvention tools trick the Netflix system into allowing you to stream another country’s content. Dan Misener: Sidestepping Apple's geoblock could put Canadians on NSA's radar U.S. Netflix accessed by 1/3 of anglophone Canadian users The Netflix statement issued Monday says that practice is and has always been against its policy. It did not confirm or deny it has begun a crackdown, but said there has been "no change" in the way it handles VPNs. "Virtually crossing borders to use Netflix is a violation of our terms of use because of content licensing restriction," the statement says. "We employ industry standard measures to prevent this kind of use. There hasn't been any recent changes to the Netflix VPN policy or terms of use." TorrentFreak.com reported this weekend that the video streaming service had recently taken steps against geoblocking circumvention tools, which help users appear to have a U.S. internet address. It quoted TorGuard’s Ben Van der Pelt as saying that Netflix had shut down some geoblocking circumvention tools, though only for a short period, possibly as a prelude to a wider crackdown. A Reddit user reported difficulty getting around Netflix geoblocking on an Android app. There also were reports of DNS services being blocked in Australia and South Korea before Christmas. Movie studios complain The streaming service is available in 50 countries, but has different content in each country, depending on its licences with content providers. Some movie studios have complained to Netflix that customers are using VPNs and other tools to get around content restrictions. It appears the practice may be widespread in Canada. A telephone poll with 2,002 anglophone Canadians commissioned last spring by the Media Technology Monitor found about 32 per cent of the respondents were Netflix subscribers. About one in three of the Netflix users had figured out how to access content meant for U.S. subscribers. The Media Technology Monitor poll was conducted by Forum Research between March 18 and April 19, 2014. The results are considered accurate within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Golden Frog, a global company which owns the VyperVPN, which can be used to set up an IP address in the U.S., Europe or Asia, says it has not yet encountered issues accessing Netflix among its customers. If Netflix does block VPNs, Netflix users are the ones that lose out as ISPs in every country are throttling streaming services, company president Sunday Yokubaitis said in an email. He said Golden Frog is “network neutral” and customers report better streaming speeds than they get on ISPs. “It’s important to note that VyprVPN is first and foremost a privacy and security tool. A vast majority of our customers use VyprVPN to better protect their privacy and secure their personal data when they go online. Our concern is that any company that attempts to block VPNs is assaulting their own customers’ online privacy and security,” he said This is really bad news because Netflix Canada is garbage, I think we can all agree on that. However, I think there starting to crack down on Proxies and VPN's first. For now, I believe changing the DNS number on an Xbox or PlayStation still works. For how much longer, who knows. If I can't access US Netflix anymore, Ill end my subscription and I bet a lot of others will too. This isn't a good move for Netflix imo, they'll lose money and subscribers if this becomes seriously enforced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobble Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Seriously, why does the fact that we live in Canada have to restrict which shows we see? Can someone give me a simple explanation about why our laws have to suck?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aladeen Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Seriously, why does the fact that we live in Canada have to restrict which shows we see? Can someone give me a simple explanation about why our laws have to suck?! Its not about the laws, its about the broadcast rights from the individual companies. A hypothetical example might be: In the US, Netflix has the broadcast rights for Man Vs. Wild. However in Canada, Discovery channel paid for the rights to exclusively air that show, therefore Netflix doesn't have the option of purchasing those rights since they are owned by Discovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanGnome Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/netflix-upholds-geoblocking-rules-amid-reports-of-crackdown-1.2889895 This is really bad news because Netflix Canada is garbage, I think we can all agree on that. However, I think there starting to crack down in Proxies and VPN's first. For now, I believe Changing the DNS number on an Xbox or PlayStation still works. For how much longer, who knows. If I can't access US Netflix anymore, Ill end my subscription and I bet a lot of others will too. This isn't a good move for Netflix imo, they'll lose money and subscribers if this becomes seriously enforced. If Netflix doesn't enforce this policy then they lose access to content from content rights holders. Netflix will go back to the dark ages before they exploded. The true problem here, lies in the MPAA, as they are the primary players in negotiating what content gets released to what countries as much as the individual copyright holders are. There could also be implications from the CRTC, which can impose certain restrictions that must be met by content providers wishing to operate within Canada, and perhaps as a trickle down effect some content right holders don't want to bother with adjusting or improving their license agreements, so it's easier to just deny access to that service or content in certain regions. In general, the entire content delivery method of streaming is still widely regarded as a threat to traditional content delivery paradigms. Is it any wonder when most major ISP's are also controlled as a service by major Cable service providers? Streaming represents a direct threat to their ability to deliver a product that no one wants, so they employ throttling and industry lobbyists to try and force the general public into settling for an inferior service. I don't doubt that there is serious collusion occurring between Content Providers (Shaw, Telus, Rogers, Bell etc) and Content Creators/Broadcast rights holders (NBC, ABC, FOX etc). This is why the proliferation of piracy is so evident, people want access to the things they want on their terms. People are sick and tired of being dictated to, and want their consumer dollars to account for choice, not settling for the next best thing. I'm not an advocate for online piracy, but I understand why it's become so relevant. IMO, there will come a time when the draconian overlords will be forced to switch gears, but for now they are staunchly defending their practices for as long as they can. Eventually they will figure out a way to monetize and make streaming just as restrictive as paying for cable TV. Actually we see a very good example of it recently: When Rogers won the majority of TV broadcast rights for the NHL in Canada, it wasn't long after that they started offering the NHL Center Ice for free when you have a contract for a cellular phone with them, when that package by itself was upwards of 200/year. But because I don't have a cellphone with Rogers, and I choose not to subscribe to Cable TV, I am forced to pay for an alternative service, because even if I were to pay for the Center Ice package, it would be useless to me because I live within the regional broadcasting zone of Sportsnet Pacific, as well as all of the other sister channels that Rogers has access to broadcast games to... so Center Ice would be blacked out for me for the majority of the season. It just sucks that because I have a preference in how I choose to consume the media I want to consume, I'm penalized and forced to dive into the Grey Zone of legalities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 If Netflix doesn't enforce this policy then they lose access to content from content rights holders. Netflix will go back to the dark ages before they exploded. The true problem here, lies in the MPAA, as they are the primary players in negotiating what content gets released to what countries as much as the individual copyright holders are. There could also be implications from the CRTC, which can impose certain restrictions that must be met by content providers wishing to operate within Canada, and perhaps as a trickle down effect some content right holders don't want to bother with adjusting or improving their license agreements, so it's easier to just deny access to that service or content in certain regions. In general, the entire content delivery method of streaming is still widely regarded as a threat to traditional content delivery paradigms. Is it any wonder when most major ISP's are also controlled as a service by major Cable service providers? Streaming represents a direct threat to their ability to deliver a product that no one wants, so they employ throttling and industry lobbyists to try and force the general public into settling for an inferior service. I don't doubt that there is serious collusion occurring between Content Providers (Shaw, Telus, Rogers, Bell etc) and Content Creators/Broadcast rights holders (NBC, ABC, FOX etc). This is why the proliferation of piracy is so evident, people want access to the things they want on their terms. People are sick and tired of being dictated to, and want their consumer dollars to account for choice, not settling for the next best thing. I'm not an advocate for online piracy, but I understand why it's become so relevant. IMO, there will come a time when the draconian overlords will be forced to switch gears, but for now they are staunchly defending their practices for as long as they can. Eventually they will figure out a way to monetize and make streaming just as restrictive as paying for cable TV. Yeah I know that part, and it's lose/lose for Netflix either way. Either subscribers will leave or partners will end their partnership. It's so dumb that I lose out on so much content because I live in Canada. The average American isn't much different from you and I, so the restrictions make no sense! So what if a Canadian or UK citizen or whatever wants to watch your show/movie. Why deny that right just because we don't live in the States? I would think these companies want people all around the world watching their movie on Netflix. If you restrict them, its not like they'll buy the film, it'll likely be a torrent or stream and that also doesn't benefit anyone financially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Its not about the laws, its about the broadcast rights from the individual companies. A hypothetical example might be: In the US, Netflix has the broadcast rights for Man Vs. Wild. However in Canada, Discovery channel paid for the rights to exclusively air that show, therefore Netflix doesn't have the option of purchasing those rights since they are owned by Discovery. Exactly. Technically, if you are in Canada and bypassing Netflix terms and conditions - you are pirating - that is, you are illegally streaming shows / movies which you have NOT paid for. Your subscription in Canada entitles you to only what is provided by Netflix in Canada. What you could do to be more productive is to lobby the CRTC and their counter partner in the USA to work towards a "free trade" kind of agreement and end the buying/selling of program rights to individual corporations...or something like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 VPN's are saying they'll provide some easy work-arounds if need be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 That's right, push more people to piracy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 When I first got Netflix, I was on US all the time. But the free workarounds were sometimes a pain, and I eventually drifted back to Canadian. The selection gets better as time goes on, and my family has found enough to be satisfied...for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 When I first got Netflix, I was on US all the time. But the free workarounds were sometimes a pain, and I eventually drifted back to Canadian. The selection gets better as time goes on, and my family has found enough to be satisfied...for now. We use both US and Canadian NetFlix in our house. CDN in the living room (PS3) and US in our bedroom (Apple TV). Getting US Netflix on Apple TV literally takes a minute. Super easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksterh8 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 It's all garbage, go for a walk and forget the boob tube.. your body with thank you for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inane Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Getting us netflix is easy but it's always in sd not hd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 It's all garbage, go for a walk and forget the boob tube.. your body with thank you for it. Thanks for the advice. Lost 40 pounds last year and still go swimming 3 times a week. It's possible to have a healthy balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 We use both US and Canadian NetFlix in our house. CDN in the living room (PS3) and US in our bedroom (Apple TV). Getting US Netflix on Apple TV literally takes a minute. Super easy. The problem was we only have one TV, and use the PS3 to access it. I'd have to turn it off to play online games (since the US DNS would slow the connection down too much), then turn it back on again to watch Netflix. Then DNS codes would stop working, etc... But now that I think of it, I just got a PS4, and never use my PS3 for gaming now. Guess I could set up the PS3 for US and the PS4 for Cdn, and not have to switch the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmen81 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 We use both US and Canadian NetFlix in our house. CDN in the living room (PS3) and US in our bedroom (Apple TV). Getting US Netflix on Apple TV literally takes a minute. Super easy. On my LG smart tv it's very easy to switch from Canadian, to American to Mexican Netflix if I want. However upstairs I don't have a smart tv and can't access those countries Netflix's using my chromecast. I know it's possible, but it's above my level of expertise. Edit: also Netflix denies they are cracking down. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/05/netflix-denies-crackdown-on-vpn-users Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam13371337 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 because the CRTC exists for the sake of existing. on our tax dollars. Telling us what to watch, how to watch an old dinosaur that government refuses to get rid of. Because it makes jobs for the sake of jobs. employing alot of useless parasites who have no other way of actually making a living in a productive manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 because the CRTC exists for the sake of existing. on our tax dollars. Telling us what to watch, how to watch an old dinosaur that government refuses to get rid of. Because it makes jobs for the sake of jobs. employing alot of useless parasites who have no other way of actually making a living in a productive manner. If that were the criteria for streamlining sevices, billions of beauraucrats and civil servants would be at the food bank next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Zamboni Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 On my LG smart tv it's very easy to switch from Canadian, to American to Mexican Netflix if I want. However upstairs I don't have a smart tv and can't access those countries Netflix's using my chromecast. I know it's possible, but it's above my level of expertise. Edit: also Netflix denies they are cracking down.http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/05/netflix-denies-crackdown-on-vpn-users i have an lg smart tv im in canada and have a netflix subscription...how do i go about switching to the american netflix if desired? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam13371337 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 If that were the criteria for streamlining sevices, billions of beauraucrats and civil servants would be at the food bank next week. and that is the reason just about everything to do with government/politicians has become vomit inducing for me. ignorance is bliss, I honestly skip news having to do with corrupt government officials for the fact that it just infuriates me to no end. The whole mike duffy/ corruption affair is a big blur for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Tamland Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Exactly. Technically, if you are in Canada and bypassing Netflix terms and conditions - you are pirating - that is, you are illegally streaming shows / movies which you have NOT paid for. Your subscription in Canada entitles you to only what is provided by Netflix in Canada. What you could do to be more productive is to lobby the CRTC and their counter partner in the USA to work towards a "free trade" kind of agreement and end the buying/selling of program rights to individual corporations...or something like that... It's 100,000,000,000 easier to VPN and watch Netflix vs lobbying for change. They can kiss my ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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