14 DAY TRIAL // A rather strange decision of the World Trade Commission was awarded last December to Antigua, should its negotiations with the United States fail. The problem in question is that of the US rules, more or less blocking foreign gambling sites. Even Europe is going at the regulations, as many sites based there (bwin among others) have encountered the same ban and are threatening to ask for a WTC ruling of their own.
Antigua, based on the Commission's decision, has made it clear that it will no doubt give free reign to intellectual property piracy should Americans not be allowed to access its very lucrative online gambling businesses. Come to think of it, The Pirate Bay could very well profit from this situations and simply relocate there, if need be.
Right now, the ball is in the United States' court, as a battle will be waged between the Motion Pictures Association of America will not likely stand and watch as their work gets pirated without being able to do something and those who came up with the banning rules. And if the MPAA isn't enough, Microsoft will most likely back up their claims, as the software company would also have a lot to lose if things go south, and not only for the winter.
Talk about an Island Paradise, that's exactly what Antigua is going to turn into if the US rules won't bend. Like I mentioned earlier, Europe is pretty interested in the results of this 'tough negotiation' as well, so all the pressure should start wearing down the rules into something closer to pointers and guidelines.
Peer to peer BitComet sharing users should wait for the decision biting their nails, because chances are that it will be a new booming start to what is already a very wide network. Keep your fingers crossed, both gamblers and file sharers!