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| | | December 11 - The small Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which is also
of the world's foremost online gambling jurisdictions, is expecting to be
awarded a substantial amount in damages against the United States by the WTO
this week, as per a long-running online gambling trade dispute between the two
countries.
Yesterday (Monday, December 11th 2007), the attorney representing the islands,
Mark Mendel, said, 'We are very confident about our case against the United
States and feel as though we have the upper hand ahead of the ruling by the
World Trade Organziation (WTO) arbitration panel on Friday this week.'
The dispute started way back in April 2005 after Antigua complained to the WTO
about a US law in place that allowed only American companies from offering
online gambling services in the United States, that was in direct violation of
international trade laws.
The WTO ruled that the United States was in fact blatantly discriminating
against foreign-owned gambling companies. As a result, Antigua as well as many
other countries also affected by the US trade violations, are seeking billions
of dollars in compensation from the United States.
Antigua, which is reliant almost solely on online gambling revenues and tourism
(which is in decline) to support it economy, has asked the WTO to impose $3.44
billion per year in 'cross-retaliation' reparations on the United States. The
US, however, maintains Antigua is only entitled to $500 000 in compensation.
Said Mendel, 'I feel that we have provided plenty of proof to justify this
figure. We are also seeking permission to suspend copyright protections on
American movies, music and software so that Antigua's manufacturers can export
these and other products to the United States and potentially other markets.'
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