According to the Singapore daily, The Straits Times, the newspaper understands that the U.S. is looking into such a violation of the trade agreement if it goes ahead with the plan to put software, movie and music discs under the same price controls as rice and sugar.
The WTO pact makes it clear that no signatory should do anything that would 'unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holder', said the paper.
Original CDs are priced between RM25 (US$7) and US$15, while pirated copies go for about US$2. Original Video CDs are priced at US$12 and copies are sold at US$2.
Both Microsoft and BSA are not in favor of the Malaysia's plan to use price controls to stem piracy. Last month, authorities announced plans to place software, CDs, DVDs and Video CDs (VCD) under the same price regulations that govern food and essential items such as oil and rice. By reducing the price of the discs, the government hope the curb the piracy for which the country has received criticism from copyright protection groups.
Organizations like the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) and BSA will meet with government officials to suggest other ways to regulate the pricing of their members' products.
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Ahhh pleaaaase.... and WTO could be violating human common sense rule!
Posted by anonymous on Wednesday, July 16 2003 12:52 AM