Chase
12-27-2007, 12:56 PM
For the record, I see no justification in banning online gambling...
When it comes to "intellectual property", I don't believe in the concept nearly to the extent that many do. I think we've seen too many disgusting court-room abuses out of the RIAA/MPAA in their war against illegal (non-commercial) downloads and the constant extensions of copyright protection are sad. I would be happy if the patent system just evaporated (though satisfied if it were toppled and replaced with something much more minimal). But I do believe in basic copyright protection, and I certainly believe in national sovereignty.
Just saw this on Slashdot (http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/12/27/1514235):
The WTO's recent ruling on Antigua's complaint against the US over the banning of online gambling resulted in a payment to the island nation much less than they asked for. It appears, though, that this payment was just part of the WTO's compensation package for Antigua/Barbuda. Via Kotaku, the Hollywood Reporter notes that the Caribbean country can now freely ignore US copyright laws - legally. This dispensation is apparently limited to some $21 million a year.
"The WTO often takes decisions awarding trade compensation in cases where one nation's policies are found to break its rules. But this is only the second time the compensation lets one country violate intellectual property laws. In this case, Antigua will -- in theory -- be allowed to distribute copies of American DVDs, CDs and games and software with impunity. 'That has only been done once before and is, I believe, a very potent weapon,' Antigua's lawyer Mark Mendel said. 'I hope that the United States government will now see the wisdom in reaching some accommodation with Antigua over this dispute.'"
Nice to know that world government is looking out for our interests. :rolleyes:
When it comes to "intellectual property", I don't believe in the concept nearly to the extent that many do. I think we've seen too many disgusting court-room abuses out of the RIAA/MPAA in their war against illegal (non-commercial) downloads and the constant extensions of copyright protection are sad. I would be happy if the patent system just evaporated (though satisfied if it were toppled and replaced with something much more minimal). But I do believe in basic copyright protection, and I certainly believe in national sovereignty.
Just saw this on Slashdot (http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/12/27/1514235):
The WTO's recent ruling on Antigua's complaint against the US over the banning of online gambling resulted in a payment to the island nation much less than they asked for. It appears, though, that this payment was just part of the WTO's compensation package for Antigua/Barbuda. Via Kotaku, the Hollywood Reporter notes that the Caribbean country can now freely ignore US copyright laws - legally. This dispensation is apparently limited to some $21 million a year.
"The WTO often takes decisions awarding trade compensation in cases where one nation's policies are found to break its rules. But this is only the second time the compensation lets one country violate intellectual property laws. In this case, Antigua will -- in theory -- be allowed to distribute copies of American DVDs, CDs and games and software with impunity. 'That has only been done once before and is, I believe, a very potent weapon,' Antigua's lawyer Mark Mendel said. 'I hope that the United States government will now see the wisdom in reaching some accommodation with Antigua over this dispute.'"
Nice to know that world government is looking out for our interests. :rolleyes: