World Trade Organization Ruling Delayed

16 Dec, 2007 UIGEA

The United States and the World Trade Organization are at a dead lock since the United States withdrew Online Gambling, which in this case includes the online poker rooms, from the obligations under the WTO Treaty.

The scantions that were going to be awarded to the island of Antigua were to be determined this past Friday. There has been no ruling at this point. It was delayed, creating speculation that some kind of a deal is being negotiated at this time, that will be amicable between the two WTO nations.

Mark Mendel, attorney for the Island Nation of Antigua, stated that due to translation needs and finalization of the disclosure report, the WTO will make an announcement tomorrow regarding when this ruling will be released. Some of what is anticipated to come out of the ruling are things that include the copyright protection of United States Software and Music, which would allow Antigua to obtain, copy, and market the products developed in the United States, which would exact restitution from the United States and their citizens for the protectionist application of the WTO Treaty regarding online gambling. The island nation’s primary economic industry is online gambling, and casinos. The other highly anticipated aspect of the ruling is going to be the total amount the United States is obligated to pay to Antigua for the withdrawal from the treaty.

This decision is highly anticipated and will be released soon. How soon will be announced on Monday, Dec. 17th, 2007. The implications will be far reaching, as the United States is facing additional claims from at least 6 other countries. The fines could reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars, or the United States could change their protectionist legal standing on the subject.