[darryl]

@pwalker8. That is regrettable for everyone concerned, Publisher, Author and Reader. Whilst we have no way of knowing the actual breakdown of what readers do in this situation, it is a pretty fair bet that a not insignificant number choose to get the books some other way. Of these, some of course will buy or borrow a paper copy. Some will electronically "travel" to a country which does have it for sale. And, of course, some will simply download a pirate copy. The latter method of obtaining copies seems to me to be the most convenient of these options, having the advantages of no cost, instant delivery and direct download of a file without drm in the format of choice. And we have seen how important convenience is with ITunes, 1-click ordering etc. Human nature being what it is, many who take this option are going to consider their actions justified and ease their conscience (if this is a problem for them) with the rationale that it is the authors/publishers fault for not making the ebook available to them for purchase. I suspect that the vast majority of those who rationalise their actions in this way would in fact have purchased the ebook if it was available, though this of course is no comfort to the authors and publishers who are not paid.

I suspect that losses due to piracy are very significant where ebooks are not available in particular regions. And even more significant where only some books in a series are available.