Bootlegging returns with Superman sequel

As "Superman Returns" makes its worldwide debut in China, a pristine bootleg version is selling in Beijing for $1.25.

The story "Bootlegging returns with Superman sequel" published September 29, 2006 at 5:08 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[Mr. Network]

Who is shafting who?

$2.75 to buy the DVD in China, $20+ to buy it in the United States. Where I come from that is called gouging. Where is the congressional hearing for this?

[AnotherReader]

But lets get the facts straight

Come on! Get your facts straight!!! That $2.75 is for the 2 disk special addition. That they want $35 for here in the US. You only need to shell out $1.75 for the single disk that costs $24 here in the US.<br /><br />What a rip off.<br /><br />Just goes to show you that compitition DOES work!<br /><br />After seeing the price spread between markets, I am REALLY not feeling like ever purchasing another DVD again.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Superman, SuperPrice!

Wow, I'll just run right out and buy a mediocre movie at $28.98! Or not. In fact, at that price, I may never buy it. It makes me wonder if they are using the Big Oil model of pricing.

[HecticDialectics]

Absurd Pricing

What are the movie companies smoking when they think they can sell Superman for $28 or even more for two-disc special with horrible "extra features" (re: scenes that sucked too bad to be in the real movie)?<br /><br />I still think the $19.99 price tag on most movies is over the top... I will most definitely NOT be buying a movie any time soon if they really start pricing them at $29 bucks.

[kaufmanmoore]

Look at wages

The average wage for a Chinese worker is about the equivalent of $4,340. In 2003 the real median household income in this country was $43,318.

[eBob1]

So what?

North Americans and Europeans are still being gouged. The difference in wages between China and the U.S. has nothing to do with anything. If the studios can profitably sell a DVD in China for less than $3, why can't they do that here? Are the studios trying to protect Blockbuster Video and Netflix? At those prices, it would make no sense to even rent a movie.

[djottercreek]

Before you rush to Beijing and buy...

...just kidding. However, for everyone who's thinking that they'd benefit from the $2.75 version, keep in mind that it has prominent Mandarin subtitles on it and they can't be turned off. If you can't read Mandarin, that's going to detract from the movie.

[georgescott]

Buy movies from Blockbuster

BlockBuster sells "used" (they look new, never have seen one with a scratched disc or any imperfections) movies from $5 and up. <br /><br />If you have an Albertsons (or other grocery chain) that rents videos find there used video section and they sometimes have very good prices but a smaller selection.

[rcrusoe]

Who buys movies these days?

I rent from Netflix and rarely find any movies, made in the last ten+ years, that are worth watching the first time. <br /><br />There's none I would ever consider buying.