Antigua Gets $21 Million

Cato's Sallie James writes that the WTO has awarded Antigua $21 million in damages for its trade dispute with the U.S. over our Internet gambling laws. The little island country will get to recoup the losses by suspending copyright laws within its borders, I guess until it estimates its economy has absorbed $21 million in revenue.

The amount is far less than what Antigua wanted ($3.4 billion), and far more than what the U.S. claimed Antigua was due ($500,000). Unfortunately, I doubt that $21 million is enough to instigate a war between the copyright lobby and the moral blowhards behind the gambling ban. And the recent settlement between the U.S. and Europe, Canada, and Japan means more damages taken out in copyright aren't likely.

I wonder if U.S. citizens will be able to take advantage of the ruling to buy pirated CDs and movies from Antigua, or if the RIAA and MPAA will pressure the federal government into banning Internet and postal transactions with copyright violators who set up shop in Antigua.

The good news I guess is that trade, globalization, and techology have made it much more difficult for the government to enforce dumb morality laws. The bad news is, they're still trying.

MORE:  I probably wasn't clear enough in the post: The $21 million is an annual reparation until the U.S. changes its laws.  

Comments

David E. Gallaher | December 26, 2007, 5:54pm | #

I thought it was $21 million a year, not just a one-time.
If I'm right, shouldn't the GAO ask if this is a reasonable expenditure of taxpayers' money? Not only is it a waste, but it's like saying it's okay for the US to keep driving above the speed limit so long as it pays $21 million in fines a year.
Could any presidential candidate other than Ron Paul be just a little upset about this?
We all know $21 million is chicken feed to Uncle Sam, but that ought to be upsetting too, shouldn't it?

Ruthless

Chuck | December 26, 2007, 7:34pm | #

I read it as $21 million per year (until the U.S. changes its laws), as well. But the way I read it, it's not a direct fine, it just allows Antigua to pirate $21M worth of stuff per year. Looks like it will be "paid" by the RIAA rather than the gubmint.

I wonder who is in charge of monitoring Antigua's non-enforcement of copyright to make sure they stop when they reach the limit. Or how they restrict this. If I get an Antiguan ISP, does that make me eligible to enjoy copyright-free downloads?

David E. Gallaher | December 26, 2007, 7:47pm | #

Chuck,
The way you describe it should raise a bigger red flag for the GAO:
Inter-government bartering.
When real people do it, they exchange stuff of value.
When nations do it, they swap shit for Shinola?
Great!

whit | December 26, 2007, 8:13pm | #

it's not (primarily ) about morality.

it's about MONEY.

look at what the (overwhelmingly leftwing/democratic) WA state legislature did vis a vis online gambling.

they made it a C felony (par with auto theft, aggravated assault, and burglary).

but it's not a MORAL thing. one can buy (state pimped) lottery tickets at convenience stores, and one can play a game of poker at any # of casinos, both on and off the reservation.

and of course they justified the law to protect the innocent consumers who could get ripped off by these rogue poker sites (lol).

poker is plenty moral to a leftwinger as long as you pay a hefty tax to the "man".

BakedPenguin | December 26, 2007, 9:53pm | #

This money should come directly from the taxes of districts whose congresscrap voted for it. Bitter pill to know that not only did these bastards stop me from making an occasional bet online, I now have to pay (I don't care if it's a fraction of a cent)for their shoving their morality down my throat. Dirtbags.

Bee | December 26, 2007, 10:49pm | #

Well, SOME of it has got to be about morality. There are plenty of useful idiots out there who do indeed think it is immoral to gamble or wager.

Although it feels crazy to root for being raped, I wish it had been larger than 21 mil. Can the US appeal?

Jerry | December 27, 2007, 12:46am | #

I enjoy gambling online and I believe that everyone should have the right to place a bet online, as long as their are rules in place to protect underage & problem gamblers.

ed | December 27, 2007, 9:08am | #

the arbitrator gave Antigua permission to collect the damages by suspending their obligations to protect U.S. intellectual property. The $21 million worth of pirated software, movies, and music would go on annually unless and until the United States changes its laws

Perhaps I'm dense, or maybe just old-fashioned, but what in fuck's name do gambling disputes have to do with suspending intellectual property rights? "You're prohibiting offshore gambling, so we'll show you! We'll punish your artists!" Egad.

Phil Hellmuth | December 27, 2007, 10:14am | #

I can dodge bullets baby.

Chuck | December 27, 2007, 11:02am | #

ed--

this is probably the only way the Antiguan govt will be able to recover anything. Can you see the WTO ordering Congress to cut a check to Antigua, as reparations for a law Congress passed? I mean, I can see them ordering it, but the likely response would be an extended middle finger and several resolutions to withdraw from the WTO.

David | December 27, 2007, 11:20am | #

I wonder if U.S. citizens will be able to take advantage of the ruling to buy pirated CDs and movies from Antigua, or if the RIAA and MPAA will pressure the federal government into banning Internet and postal transactions with copyright violators who set up shop in Antigua.

It'll be easier for them to write a law stating that they can simply seize the assets of people found to own Antiguan bootlegs. Congress will pass it.

ed | December 27, 2007, 12:05pm | #

How's about: Antigua now has the right to board private U.S. yachts, steal the jewelry, toss the owners overboard and sell the vessels to the highest bidder?

Lamar | December 27, 2007, 7:18pm | #

ed: the literalists will win this battle yet. Why can't copyfreaks just say "infringement"? Well damn it, if I had any downloaded crap, I'd call it "privateered" content.

lester bird | December 27, 2007, 9:06pm | #

>>How's about: Antigua now has the right to board private U.S. yachts, steal the jewelry, toss the owners overboard and sell the vessels to the highest bidder?

We've been doing that for over a decade...

now we have to pirate software over two coconut shells ans some fishing line!