Veronica
02-10-2007, 08:26 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/06/070620_antwto.shtml
Antigua has asked the WTO to impose sanctions on the United States for ignoring a ruling that it has breached trade rules by effectively banning online gambling.
The government of the island nation said it was seeking compensation from the World Trade organisation worth US$3.4 billion a year.
It is asking the trade body for authorisation to ignore copyright and patent laws which it said would hit U.S. firms hard.
"We have fought long and hard for fair access to the United States market and have won at every stage of the WTO process," said Antigua's finance minister Errol Cort.
"Until such time as the United States is willing to work with us on achieving a reasonable solution to this trade dispute, we will continue to use every legitimate remedy available to protect the interests of our citizens," he added.
Arbitration
The move by Antigua came a day after the European Union told the United States it too wanted compensation for the US restrictions
Last year Washington stopped American banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online gambling businesses outside the country.
Antigua says the US ban has hurt its online gaming industry.
If the WTO backed the sanctions, the US could refer the case to arbitration, where a panel of WTO arbitrators would have to decide on the final level and scope of any sanctions.
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http://www.fair-online-gambling.com/casino/fog-online-gambling-firms-demand-$100-billion-from-us-09-27-07.html
Online Gambling Firms Demand $100 Billion from US - 09-27-07
September 27 - The long and drawn out online gambling WTO dispute between the small Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States has started to resemble more of a skit from Saturday Night Live than a serious matter with real-world consequences.
While months ago the World Trade Organization made a ruling firmly in Antigua's favor of the United States in terms of its unlawful banning of cross-border online gambling facilities, in true US fashion the super power continues to ignore Antigua, the WTO and the ruling.
Antigua filed a claim with the WTO for $3.4 billion in compensation for 'lost income' and enormous negative impact on the island's economy as a direct result of ongoing US legal actions n Antigua-licensed online gambling operators.
The current US powers-that be-seem to be dragging their heels at best as they, seemingly eager to ignore the ruling and its large monetary implications until the next administration enters the White House, and these issues and policy decisions are inherited by them.
In other words, the United States seems to be playing a game of ignore it and the problem might go away and if it doesn't, simply pass the buck. Perhaps given recent history this is not surprising behavior from a country that has a lousy track record in 'listening' to other countries.
Does George W Bush's blatant disregard for United Nations a few years ago ring any bells?
Of course, in amongst this, the Antigua vs. US dispute has evolved dramatically to include the Antigua + EU + other countries vs. USA and many of these countries are expecting to receive their share of the $100 billion in damages sought from the United States.
As I re-read the above, I can just imagine a political cartoon depicting a fat bully-like kid sitting in a school yard drinking a soda stolen from a nearby small, scrawny kid who is clearly upset at the fat kid who is captioned as saying, 'Yeah, waddya gonna do about it?'.
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oh my look what Antigua started... now the EU has called down their lawyers too, and totall damage running to $100 billion
these west indians eh :laugh:
so wait, if Antigua can start ignoring US copyright and patents now....can they start pirating movies, aids drugs, whatever US stuff they want? And I understanding that correctly?
Antigua has asked the WTO to impose sanctions on the United States for ignoring a ruling that it has breached trade rules by effectively banning online gambling.
The government of the island nation said it was seeking compensation from the World Trade organisation worth US$3.4 billion a year.
It is asking the trade body for authorisation to ignore copyright and patent laws which it said would hit U.S. firms hard.
"We have fought long and hard for fair access to the United States market and have won at every stage of the WTO process," said Antigua's finance minister Errol Cort.
"Until such time as the United States is willing to work with us on achieving a reasonable solution to this trade dispute, we will continue to use every legitimate remedy available to protect the interests of our citizens," he added.
Arbitration
The move by Antigua came a day after the European Union told the United States it too wanted compensation for the US restrictions
Last year Washington stopped American banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online gambling businesses outside the country.
Antigua says the US ban has hurt its online gaming industry.
If the WTO backed the sanctions, the US could refer the case to arbitration, where a panel of WTO arbitrators would have to decide on the final level and scope of any sanctions.
__________________________________________________ __
http://www.fair-online-gambling.com/casino/fog-online-gambling-firms-demand-$100-billion-from-us-09-27-07.html
Online Gambling Firms Demand $100 Billion from US - 09-27-07
September 27 - The long and drawn out online gambling WTO dispute between the small Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States has started to resemble more of a skit from Saturday Night Live than a serious matter with real-world consequences.
While months ago the World Trade Organization made a ruling firmly in Antigua's favor of the United States in terms of its unlawful banning of cross-border online gambling facilities, in true US fashion the super power continues to ignore Antigua, the WTO and the ruling.
Antigua filed a claim with the WTO for $3.4 billion in compensation for 'lost income' and enormous negative impact on the island's economy as a direct result of ongoing US legal actions n Antigua-licensed online gambling operators.
The current US powers-that be-seem to be dragging their heels at best as they, seemingly eager to ignore the ruling and its large monetary implications until the next administration enters the White House, and these issues and policy decisions are inherited by them.
In other words, the United States seems to be playing a game of ignore it and the problem might go away and if it doesn't, simply pass the buck. Perhaps given recent history this is not surprising behavior from a country that has a lousy track record in 'listening' to other countries.
Does George W Bush's blatant disregard for United Nations a few years ago ring any bells?
Of course, in amongst this, the Antigua vs. US dispute has evolved dramatically to include the Antigua + EU + other countries vs. USA and many of these countries are expecting to receive their share of the $100 billion in damages sought from the United States.
As I re-read the above, I can just imagine a political cartoon depicting a fat bully-like kid sitting in a school yard drinking a soda stolen from a nearby small, scrawny kid who is clearly upset at the fat kid who is captioned as saying, 'Yeah, waddya gonna do about it?'.
__________________________________________________ ________
oh my look what Antigua started... now the EU has called down their lawyers too, and totall damage running to $100 billion
these west indians eh :laugh:
so wait, if Antigua can start ignoring US copyright and patents now....can they start pirating movies, aids drugs, whatever US stuff they want? And I understanding that correctly?