Using a triangular trade network, Brazilian goods stop in Dubai, and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before entering Iran.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The growing concern of Brazil & Iran

PlayStation Home, a 3-D virtual world on PlayStation Network, also says its virtual goods sales are doing well.

FORBES: U.S. Virtual Goods Market Will Pass $2 Billion In 2011, Study Reports

It has sued dozens of companies, claiming to have patented the very idea of selling computer software and other electronic goods over a computer network.

ECONOMIST: It was my idea

ISPs already offer free service in parts of France, such as Groupe Serveur or World Online, Kingfisher has the advantage that Dixons had of access to a trusted distribution network in its Darty chain of household-goods stores, which will give out free starter discs to its numerous customers.

ECONOMIST: Trawling for surfers

Many goods are smuggled from Egypt through a network of underground tunnels into Gaza.

BBC: Gaza construction convoy crosses from Egypt

We thought, as we did with our household goods business, we could sell a global network.

FORBES: Jim Thompson's Precious Cargo

Before Blockbuster was bought by Dish Network, there were media reports of ambitious expansion plans, including selling electrical goods such as televisions, mobile phones, and iPods.

BBC: Blockbuster goes into administration

This is the latest in a series of moves by China to gain control over a network of ports, railways and distribution channels which it will use to carry its goods to European markets.

FORBES: Chinese Bearing Gifts

The syndication model is common among entertainment-news sites such as E Online and gaming companies like Total Entertainment Network, which partner with portals, communities and other highly trafficked sites that repackage their goods for mass consumption.

CNN: Short films: Now showing on a monitor near you