They're Impatient
Antiguan companies and online casino gambling groups are just sick waiting for
the Antiguan government to come to a negotiated resolution with the United
States. The US passed the UIGEA nearly three years ago and effectively forced
all of the Antiguan based online casinos out of the US market. This wreaked
havoc with the Antiguan economy and as a result the World Trade Organization
granted Antigua and Barbuda a set sum of compensation that could be taken from
the US in the form of suspended copyrights on music and US entertainment
trademarks. Now that the negotiations are leading nowhere though one Antiguan
company at least has decided to strike out on its own and find compensation from
the US.
Zookz is not directly a part of the Antiguan online casino gambling industry but
decided to begin realizing some of the possible profits to be had from
suspending US copyrights on music and movie downloads. Although Zookz is firmly
bent on continuing this activity, the Antiguan government was quick to respond
to this latest news with a public denouncement of Zookz decision to offer these
services. The Antiguan government has not authorized online casinos or any
Antiguan companies to take advantage of the WTO’s ruling.
Zookz though has no plans to stop anytime soon. The online casino gambling
negotiations between the government and the US can continue, but Zookz plans to
also continue. The WTO made the decision well over a year ago and no progress
has been made –the impatient companies assert that they do not need the
permission of the Antiguan government in order to take advantage of the trade
dispensations. |