Here we go again :roll:
http://www.slyck.com/story1454.htmlThe US Trade Representative announced it was filing a complaint against China to the WTO (World Trade Organization). The complaint is divided into two parts, the "unacceptably" high rates of piracy, and perhaps more importantly, the continued barriers against US entertainment (books, movies, music, software, etc).
"Piracy and counterfeiting levels in China remain unacceptably high,” U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwabb said. “Inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in China costs U.S. firms and workers billions of dollars each year, and in the case of many products, it also poses a serious risk of harm to consumers in China, the United States and around the world..."
The MPAA and RIAA, who represent an overwhelming majority of US entertainment, have the most to gain - and lose - with this situation. Because of the rampant piracy in China, it's clear beyond any doubt there is a monolithic demand for US entertainment. The MPAA says there's over 2.3 billion dollars in losses every year - that's serious change. If the MPAA could market their goods in China and expose even a small fraction of the current piracy customers to legitimate material, their fortunes would slowly but surely begin to turn. Although the RIAA's losses due to piracy are smaller, they too stand to gain substantially if China opens their markets to American goods.
Not surprisingly, both the MPAA and RIAA welcomed yesterday's news.
The Chinese response was not particularly favorable, saying the move could "seriously damage" the bilateral business relationship between the two countries.
Its suprising and hypocritical for the US to make this sort of demand and ignore WTO rulings against itself for treaty breaking activities.
I see this boomeranging on them in terms of the loss of cheap imports, lets all remember who forced the governments hand in this potential new trade war.
