wraggster
January 6th, 2012, 23:16
WikiLeaks cables show Spain has been called to act since 2008
The Spanish government was subjected to ambassadorial pressure from the US to introduce a tough new anti-piracy law, according to diplomatic cables and leaked correspondence.
Alan Solomont, the US ambassador in Madrid, is believed to have threatened Spain’s president with “retaliation” unless action was taken to curb illicit online file sharing in the country.
In a letter dated December 12th, Solomont (pictured) reminded Spanish officials that the nation was already placed on the so-called ‘Special 301’ – a US list of countries that are deemed ineffective in protecting copyright holders from online piracy.
Spain was under risk of having its position "degraded" further, and could have joined a blacklist of "the worst violators of global intellectual property rights" if action wasn’t taken, the correspondence suggested.
Joining the blacklist could have, in turn, resulted in "retaliation actions", Solomont was quoted as saying, including the elimination of tariff agreements and a referral to the World Trade Organisation.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/39441/US-pushed-Spain-to-enact-SOPA-style-law
The Spanish government was subjected to ambassadorial pressure from the US to introduce a tough new anti-piracy law, according to diplomatic cables and leaked correspondence.
Alan Solomont, the US ambassador in Madrid, is believed to have threatened Spain’s president with “retaliation” unless action was taken to curb illicit online file sharing in the country.
In a letter dated December 12th, Solomont (pictured) reminded Spanish officials that the nation was already placed on the so-called ‘Special 301’ – a US list of countries that are deemed ineffective in protecting copyright holders from online piracy.
Spain was under risk of having its position "degraded" further, and could have joined a blacklist of "the worst violators of global intellectual property rights" if action wasn’t taken, the correspondence suggested.
Joining the blacklist could have, in turn, resulted in "retaliation actions", Solomont was quoted as saying, including the elimination of tariff agreements and a referral to the World Trade Organisation.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/39441/US-pushed-Spain-to-enact-SOPA-style-law