I think some require more assessment of the benefits of region encoding. If region encoding did not exist it would make the industry very different indeed, and most likely not for the better. Region encoding reinforces territorial agreements, which makes it easier for labels to compete in smaller markets. If region encoding disappeared it would most likely lead to a breakdown of the territorial system, and as a result increasingly the likelihood of single worldwide releases of titles coming from monopolising all-encompassing labels. I do not think it is likely that it will be labels with the quality of Eureka that will find themselves in the position of being in charge of a monopoly. If you really want the MoC release, in this day and age where the Blu-ray HD standards are actually more or less the same throughout the world, then is it really that much of a hardship to get hold of a multi-region player to enjoy them?
Region coding also deprives the consumer of the right to choose, particularly those who are unable to play multi-region.
Robert, the problem is here is the fact that MoC did not ask for the region lock, but Kino did. Therefore, Kino should have done its utmost to ensure that it met its side of the bargain, especially as region locking is not standard practice for Kino. Kino does not deserve a pass purely on that basis.
The undeniable truth now is that Kino's Metropolis now has a competitive edge over the other releases, defying legal agreements, not gentlemens' ones. A contract has been broken and there is no practical way to remedy this - I'd say that Kino should be rightly criticized for it and it has to grin and bear it.