Territorial Implications of Antigua's Internet-Based IP Sanctions Against the US (Guest Blog Post) By Guest Blogger Marketa Trimble At the end of January 2013, the WTO authorized Antigua to suspend its intellectual property obligations toward the United States in retaliation for the United States’ breach of WTO rules.
There are at least three reasons why the decision and the potential internet-based implementation of the retaliation are notable. First, the case shows the inherent danger that exists when IP issues are included in general trade negotiations and trade treaties, such as the WTO negotiations and the TRIPS Agreement (the danger exists alongside the possible benefits that such an inclusion provides in the form of improved enforceability of countries’ IP obligations). At a conference on the TRIPS Agreement held in April 2011, I noted that putting IP issues in a “basket” with other trade issues could lead to some IP rights being bargained away for trade advantages, and that IP rights might even become the subject of trade sanctions.
[Photo credit: Antigua flag // ShutterStock] Antigua Advances Toward WTO-Authorized Piracy Website. International law may soon allow the Caribbean island of Antigua to sell copyrighted movies, TV shows, music, games and software online without paying a penny to studios and other content owners.
Antigua gets WTO approval to become copyright haven - News. News Antigua gets WTO approval to become copyright haven Wednesday, January 30, 2013 LONDON (AP) — Americans call it piracy.
Antiguans call it justice. For legal free downloads head to Antigua & Barbuda.
World Trade Organization. Background of legal conflict. WTO gives Antigua green light to pursue sanctions on US. January 29, 2013.
Untitled. U.S. warns Antigua against government-authorized piracy. WTO Allows Antigua to Open Piracy Site. Antigua Cocos Beach.
Photo: l.conti/Flickr Antigua and Barbuda have been given the power by the World Trade Organization to sell or give away U.S. copyrighted media downloads without compensation to the rights holders. The WTO issued the ruling suspending U.S. copyrights in the islands late Monday, and is part of the fallout over a 2007 legal flap concerning online gambling. Antigua’s lawyer, Mark Mendel, told Wired’s sister publication, Wired.co.uk, that he was unsure when a possible Pirate Bay-like website offering games, movies, software and movies might be up and running. WTO Approves Suspension of US Copyright in Antigua. Pirates of the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda Turn From Internet Gambling to Legalized Piracy.
WTO ruling emboldens pirates of the Caribbean. High performance access to file storage Antigua and Barbuda, the small Caribbean nation perhaps best-known as the birthplace of cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, has won concessions from the World Trade Organisation that will allow it to suspend some of its intellectual property obligations.
The island nation has arrived in this position after fighting against the USA’s anti-offshore-gambling laws, which the Antiguan government says crippled a once-thriving industry. Harold Lovell, the nation’s minster for finance, the economy, and public administration, says gambling once employed 4,000 citizens, but that number has fallen below 500 in the wake of the USA’s 2003 ban on cross-border gambling. A dispute over the legality of that ban and any compensation due to Antigua has been burbling along ever since at the World Trade Organisation, which Lovell now says in a statement has come up with “a lawful suspension of intellectual property rights” as a remedy.
Over to you, Jack: Dispute With Antigua and Barbuda Threatens U.S. Copyrights. Antigua Set to Become Legal Pirate Haven? A small Caribbean island nation of fewer than 90,000 people could become the first legal haven for pirated content on the Internet.
The World Trade Organization confirmed on Monday an earlier decision granting Antigua and Barbuda (which in English translates to "Antique and Bearded") the right to suspend U.S. copyrights, paving the way for a government-run pirate website full of U.S. copyrighted content like movies, TV shows, music and software. The latest decision technically allows Antigua to launch an online website where it can sell access to U.S. copyrighted material without having to compensate whoever holds the legal rights to those materials.
Think of a legally-approved Pirate Bay that requires a membership fee, for example. This is just the latest chapter in a dispute that's been going on for more than a decade — and it all started because of online gambling. Antigua and Barbuda - Member information. Antigua applies for permission to run 'pirate' website. 25 January 2013Last updated at 09:00 ET The row blew up following a US clampdown on cross-border gambling Antigua is seeking permission to run a website that sells music, movies and software - but ignores copyright law.
Antigua’s Legal “Pirate Site” Authorized by the World Trade Organization. During a meeting in Geneva today the World Trade organization (WTO) authorized Antigua's request to suspend U.S. copyrights.
The decision confirmed the preliminary authorization the Caribbean island received in 2007, and means that the local authorities can move forward with their plan to start a download portal which offers movies, music and software without compensating the American companies that make them. WTO Approves Antiguan Pirate Website, U.S. Not Happy. Last week we told you about Antigua’s plan launch a website to distribute American content while ignoring United States copyright laws.
Earlier this week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) the group gave Antigua the green light to move forward with the pirate website that Antigua still refuses to call a pirate website. To nobody’s surprise, representatives from the United States are not happy about this situation. Statement by the United States at the December 17, 2012, DSB Meeting » US Mission Geneva.
Antigua Declares War On The US Entertainment Industry.