you could have used a proxy server as well probably... :)
Doubt it. Why bother ID'ing countries from IP when people have to enter their credit card details anyway?
If this is available as a legal download - then someone has surely uploaded this elsewhere. I could download it for free and play it today then buy the thing tomorrow when it is released.
It never ceases to amaze me that a forum full of developers and wannabe developers has the exact same "grey area" mentality when it comes to piracy.