US / Russian WTO talks - deal done on net music piracy

Russia wants to obtain membership of the World Trade Organisation.

Allofmp3.com -- is an easily accessible online music store that sells inexpensive songs, unencumbered by copy protection based in Russia owned by Mediaservices . (see their FAQ's about copyright) CIO Vadim Mamotin interview here.

The US have taken the opportunity of Russia's application to slot in RIAA's demands to shut down Allofmp3.com - who are breaking no Russian laws. The US have been successful however in putting the pressure on the credit card companies (see Visa / Mastercard shut out on AllofMP3) based in the US to close down what they see as net pirates - see their success in stopping US based gamblers gambling on online US sports / political events.

The game is given away by a letter, "Results of Bilateral Negotiations on Russia's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Action on Critical IPR Issues November 19, 2006"

"The United States and Russia have agreed on a binding blueprint for actions that Russia will take to address piracy and counterfeiting and improve protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR), both stated priorities of the Russian Government, starting immediately."

"The agreement requires action on critical IPR issues, including:
• fighting optical disc piracy;
• fighting Internet piracy;
• protecting pharmaceutical test data;
• deterring piracy and counterfeiting through criminal penalties;
• strengthening border enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting;
• bringing Russia’s laws into compliance with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) and other international IPR standards; and
• continuing training and bilateral cooperation on IPR protection."

"Russia has provided information showing that through September, Russian authorities continue their efforts on IPR enforcement, with raids at comparable levels to last year. We believe that Russia is committed to more aggressive actions before the end of the year."

"The bilateral agreement calls for stronger enforcement. The U.S. Government will continue working with stakeholders to closely monitor implementation of Russia’s commitments."

Nothing is going to happen overnight - perhaps the operation will just move overseas - Antigua - Costa Rica .. Gibraltar who knows.

Of course, ultimately the US authorities main concern - like the UK's, is to suppress the expression of political dissent and inconvenient truths. Tony Blair's "Terrorism - it's a 12 step program" last August outlined plans (as yet not implemented) to draw up of specific extremist websites, bookshops, centres, networks and particular organisations of concern. Active engagement with any of these will be a trigger for the Home Secretary to consider the deportation of any foreign national.

Matthew Taylor described as the retiring Government chief strategy adviser, spoke at an e-democracy conference last week about "the end of deference, the rapid pace of social change and growing diversity." All "good" things, he argued, but they also meant governments found it increasingly difficult to govern.

"We have a citizenry which can be caricatured as being increasingly unwilling to be governed but not yet capable of self-government," Mr Taylor told the audience. He then derided internet blogging critics of the Government as "teenagers".

It is evident that the US authorities (more at The Register) , guided by U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, have got their heavy boots on....

Meanwhile Vadim Mamotin if you are reading ... don't eat any sushi with someone you don't know very well... because you might not feel very well.