Brokeback Confusion: Unreleased in HK and "Available" in China
Chinese-based websites are allowing people to download films that are not yet released in Hong-Kong or are only available on pay-per-view TV. For example, Brokeback Mountain will not be released in Hong Kong until Feb. 23, but can be downloaded from Chinese sites. Studio execs in Hong Kong are now screaming that International Internet Piracy is the next biggest problem - but what happens when discordant piracy laws are taking place within your own country? Hong Kong and China in not exactly what you call International borders - just 1 country with 2 different lands with 2 very different intellectual property and piracy laws.
Are you surprised that after complaints to Chinese authorities that these sites have yet to be shut down? It's because we are now seeing a new strategy in dealing with "troublesome" sites - they are taking the path of regulation versus censorship. Or least this article says they are attempting to slowly craft a regulatory process - not to say that many sites are not being shut down daily.