Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Double Standards
Last September 1, Russia was said to have toughened up its laws against internet piracy as it tries to boost its bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). It appears that it's the only major economy left that's not yet a part of the 149-country association.
The United States, one of the countries who have not yet endorsed Russia's entry, has cited the latter's intellectual property protection, or the apparent lack thereof, as one of its main concerns.
A few months ago, in June, China also made news when it passed "stronger" legislation against internet piracy. This, despite allegations by certain sectors that the country has yet to show that its copyright protection efforts have any teeth at all.
Interestingly enough, China, despite the greater incidence of piracy and copyright infringement there, IS a member of the WTO and is considered by the US as a "major" trading partner.
So why the difference?
Perhaps it's in the fact that, with around 110 million internet users and 690,000 websites in the country alone, China is viewed more in terms of its money-making potential rather than the dangers it constantly poses to copyright owners and content providers. After all, next to the US, it's already China that has the biggest internet market around.
This observation, besides showing what is perhaps already that obvious, may perhaps give Russia (and a whole lot of others) some hints and tips on how to more effectively support it's WTO application. And it's not more anti-piracy laws and/or investigating bodies --- they could simply follow later on --- but more internet access to more people.
One last thing...
To end, it's rather interesting to note that businessmen (especially the big ones who get to control significantly the governments that see to their protection) are not the most intelligent bunch around. Didn't their mommies ever tell them never to count their chickens, before they've even hatched?
However, that said, this ugly duckling's not about to vent some real complaints. My mom's always told me, "the best things online, are free."
# posted by uberjam @ 1:53 PM 
