Kingdom of Piracy

Temperature: 26 c

Weather: Cloudy

I just got my tv antenna installed. Now I am able to watch countless “made in China” programs. Some of them are really good but most are just typical Chinese dramas or performances which I have little interest in. I was expecting my landlord to give me a flat screen or plasma or LCD, but in the end, I get something similar to the one I had in Klang, a 21’ old model made in China TV. My landlord is so cheap. I have stories to write about my landlord but I guess I will not want to spoil the relationship at this early stage, may be later, when I need to demand back my deposit.

I don’t have CNN, BBC, FOX news, HBO, Cartoon Network etc (and I am not complaining because I am someone who has survived without ASTRO in Malaysia). I was told I could install a satellite (illegally) which can receive Philippine’s signal where I will be able to enjoy CNN, BBC, AXN, etc or even some porn too at the cost of only RMB1k (one off charges). But right now, given my tight budget, I don’t have the luxury to install one now. May be later when my parents visit me. My father just can’t survive without a satellite.

But not having a satellite is really not a big problem for I am in the “kingdom of piracy”. Yes, the kingdom of piracy. 90% of DVDs produced in China are pirated copies while China is responsible for manufacturing 70% of the world’s imitated products (here they call it “A 货”). The protections of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in China still have a long way to go. However the legal framework for IP laws in China is advancing at great momentum because the Chinese realize they themselves also have trademarks, copyrights and patents to protect against the merciless infringers.

I used to think Malaysia is the world's capital of piracy. Whenever you dine in a typical Chinese restaurant or hawker centre, it is very likely that someone will bring a basket of DVDs near your table. Ok, I plead guilty to buying these DVDs. Sorry, Jacky Chan or Jet Li or Chow Yun-Fatt for supporting these pirated copies. I really find no reason to buy the originals when the pirated cost only RM8 each (and at RM15, you can get 3 movies in 1 DVD which is really “value for money”).

The remedy against not having a satellite in China is through pirated DVDs. Engtee and I initially wanted to watch movies in the theatres. We planned to watch Jay Chow’s 不能说的秘密 in a cinema nearby. We walked to the cinema only to get cold feet. The ticket is RMB90 per person! Will we want to spend RMB180 (around RM85) just to watch a movie? May be we would if we were just love birds who were obsessed with romantic dates. But after getting married (even for just 9 months), the desire for romance often overridden by realities.

Why watch it in cinema when we can get ourselves a pirated copy at just a fracture of the movie ticket price? Further, after watching it, we can pass it to Bom, then Bom can circulate it among his friends. It’s killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

Unlike the situation in Malaysia where the DVDs peddlers have to play hide and seek with the authorities; here in China, DVDs are sold openly.

I was shock to find out the prices of pirated DVDs here. A pirated DVD costs RMB5 only (less than RM2.50). You can even get 15 movies in 1 DVD and it will only cost you RMB10. The quality of these DVDs is much more superior than those of Malaysia’s. It comes with a hard paper cover and a plastic cover. Oh G! At RMB5 each, what more could you expect or complain about? Even if you buy 10 DVDs and 1 could not be played, you should still be laughing your way home.

Sorry I wish to write more but I have to stop here as I have just bought 3 DVDs yesterday and I need to finish them before I start my grueling work cycle tomorrow (oh shit… tomorrow is Monday).

Engtee was asking for more money to buy more DVDs