The Chinese government is also a major purchaser of licensed software in a country where piracy is rampant.

WSJ: China's Curbs on Tech Purchases Draw Ire

Piracy is rampant in China, reaching a rate of more than 90% according to some estimates, but the Chinese Government has said it uses legally-registered copies.

BBC: China denies Microsoft 'ban'

Now the focus for big-budget flicks is on satisfying global audiences that can be lured into theatres while the buzz is strong, particularly in markets where piracy is rampant.

FORBES: China Scores Earlier Release, Extra Footage Of Disney's 'Iron Man 3'

And people wonder why music piracy is so rampant.

ENGADGET: The Pipeline: Props to Circuits, Mossberg on ultralights, Wildstrom on the PSP

While the Blu-ray packages have proven to be a huge seller (even at a time when piracy is running rampant), this in no way confirms that the fans are willing to rush back into toy collecting.

FORBES: Is Hasbro a Good Buy or Just Another Investor Play-Thing?

That, plus China's rampant piracy, is why knowledge-based industries such as software love India but shun the Middle Kingdom.

ECONOMIST: India's economy

That is, unless it can cut down on rampant piracy in countries where there may be an additional 2.8 million willing (though not yet paying) customers.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Rampant copyright piracy in Asia, especially in China, is a massive and intractable problem for the software, entertainment and luxury industries.

FORBES: Did Time Warner Really Try to Buy China's Help Fighting Piracy With Free Movies?

The result of this convergence of interests is an absurd situation in which Time Warner tells consumers it would rather endure rampant piracy than take their money for online-only access to HBO.

FORBES: Glenn Beck And Dish Network: The Beginning Of The End For Pay TV Tyranny?