Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA645
2006-03-22 22:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Managua
Cable title:
PUTTING IPR TO MUSIC IN NICARAGUA HELPED PASS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHMU #0645 0812236 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 222236Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5672 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 0515
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000645
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB DEPARTMENT PASS TO
COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: PUTTING IPR TO MUSIC IN NICARAGUA HELPED PASS
DR-CAFTA IPR REFORMS
REF: MANAGUA 0256
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000645
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB DEPARTMENT PASS TO
COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: PUTTING IPR TO MUSIC IN NICARAGUA HELPED PASS
DR-CAFTA IPR REFORMS
REF: MANAGUA 0256
1. (SBU) Summary: Between March 16 and March 21, the
Nicaraguan National Assembly passed several IPR and penal
code reforms, and ratified the Budapest Treaty, which was
required for entry into force of DR-CAFTA by April 1.
Despite concerns presented by Ministry of Trade (MIFIC)
officials and members of the private sector earlier in the
year about the ability to duplicate the narrow margin by
which DR-CAFTA was ratified in November 2005, these reforms
passed by wide margins with votes from Liberals, Sandinistas,
and members of several small parties - with no votes in
opposition. One factor in post's multi-pronged approach
leading to this successful conclusion was a cooperative
effort between ECON and a group of Nicaraguan musicians and
owners of entertainment outlets, designed to show the value
of passing the IPR reforms from the perspective of Nicaraguan
artists and businesses. In order to keep the terms of debate
focused on the protection of Nicaraguan culture rather than
USG interests, the campaign was conducted under the auspices
of the Nicaraguan Society for Copyright Protection
(NICAUTOR). End Summary.
2. (SBU) NICAUTOR launched the campaign with a press
conference attended by 40 TV, radio and newspaper reporters.
Several musicians from across the political spectrum, owners
of legal entertainment businesses and NICAUTOR then waged an
effective media blitz, garnering positive news stories and
consistently contesting allegation of opponents to the
reforms in the weeks leading up to the National Assembly
votes. Sixty-four musicians received public attention when
they published a letter calling for passage of the reforms.
Several artists also met with newspaper editors and lobbied
lawmakers directly. Particularly helpful was the active
involvement of singer/song writer Carlos Mejia Godoy, a
cultural icon of the Sandinista Revolution, who helped
overcome opposition from the left.
3. (SBU) With a $2,000 grant from USAID's Nicaragua Mission,
the group produced 1,000 CDs featuring songs and
pro-reform/anti-piracy commentary by several of Nicaragua's
most famous singers and songwriters. One musician composed a
catchy anti-piracy ballad specifically for the CD which MIFIC
began distributing as an e-mail attachment (with permission).
The artists' recorded dialogs and public statements centered
on the economic and cultural damage caused by the illegal
copying of their work. The CDs were distributed to National
Assembly lawmakers, members of the media, and others who
could influence passage of the IPR reforms.
4. (SBU) While ECON conceived of this campaign, and
coordinated on funding with USAID, the Nicaraguan artistic
community and entertainment industry quickly embraced it.
Our IPR partners shared our view that the IPR reforms offered
a unique opportunity to attract international investment
through DR-CAFTA entry into force, pass strong IPR
protections and foster respect for intellectual property in
Nicaragua. In fact, the group is continuing its efforts to
combat piracy. It has produced a series of 30-second
commercials featuring the testimonials from the CD, and
several TV stations and movie theaters have agreed to show
the commercials indefinitely without charge. ECON has also
received initial positive feedback from a private sector
organization interested in funding mass production of the
anti-piracy CDs as part of its program to improve the
investment climate in the country.
5. (U) Note: Other important factors in the successful
DR-CAFTA vote included strong behind the scenes pressure from
post, active lobbying by the business chambers and a deal
between the GON and Sandinista leadership to allow three
"minor" amendments to the reforms in order to by-pass an
abortive effort by the Liberal Party to hijack the
legislative process in an attempt to gain amnesty for their
party leader, ex-president Arnoldo Aleman. End Note.
TRIVELLI
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB DEPARTMENT PASS TO
COMMERCE, TREASURY, USTR, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD NU
SUBJECT: PUTTING IPR TO MUSIC IN NICARAGUA HELPED PASS
DR-CAFTA IPR REFORMS
REF: MANAGUA 0256
1. (SBU) Summary: Between March 16 and March 21, the
Nicaraguan National Assembly passed several IPR and penal
code reforms, and ratified the Budapest Treaty, which was
required for entry into force of DR-CAFTA by April 1.
Despite concerns presented by Ministry of Trade (MIFIC)
officials and members of the private sector earlier in the
year about the ability to duplicate the narrow margin by
which DR-CAFTA was ratified in November 2005, these reforms
passed by wide margins with votes from Liberals, Sandinistas,
and members of several small parties - with no votes in
opposition. One factor in post's multi-pronged approach
leading to this successful conclusion was a cooperative
effort between ECON and a group of Nicaraguan musicians and
owners of entertainment outlets, designed to show the value
of passing the IPR reforms from the perspective of Nicaraguan
artists and businesses. In order to keep the terms of debate
focused on the protection of Nicaraguan culture rather than
USG interests, the campaign was conducted under the auspices
of the Nicaraguan Society for Copyright Protection
(NICAUTOR). End Summary.
2. (SBU) NICAUTOR launched the campaign with a press
conference attended by 40 TV, radio and newspaper reporters.
Several musicians from across the political spectrum, owners
of legal entertainment businesses and NICAUTOR then waged an
effective media blitz, garnering positive news stories and
consistently contesting allegation of opponents to the
reforms in the weeks leading up to the National Assembly
votes. Sixty-four musicians received public attention when
they published a letter calling for passage of the reforms.
Several artists also met with newspaper editors and lobbied
lawmakers directly. Particularly helpful was the active
involvement of singer/song writer Carlos Mejia Godoy, a
cultural icon of the Sandinista Revolution, who helped
overcome opposition from the left.
3. (SBU) With a $2,000 grant from USAID's Nicaragua Mission,
the group produced 1,000 CDs featuring songs and
pro-reform/anti-piracy commentary by several of Nicaragua's
most famous singers and songwriters. One musician composed a
catchy anti-piracy ballad specifically for the CD which MIFIC
began distributing as an e-mail attachment (with permission).
The artists' recorded dialogs and public statements centered
on the economic and cultural damage caused by the illegal
copying of their work. The CDs were distributed to National
Assembly lawmakers, members of the media, and others who
could influence passage of the IPR reforms.
4. (SBU) While ECON conceived of this campaign, and
coordinated on funding with USAID, the Nicaraguan artistic
community and entertainment industry quickly embraced it.
Our IPR partners shared our view that the IPR reforms offered
a unique opportunity to attract international investment
through DR-CAFTA entry into force, pass strong IPR
protections and foster respect for intellectual property in
Nicaragua. In fact, the group is continuing its efforts to
combat piracy. It has produced a series of 30-second
commercials featuring the testimonials from the CD, and
several TV stations and movie theaters have agreed to show
the commercials indefinitely without charge. ECON has also
received initial positive feedback from a private sector
organization interested in funding mass production of the
anti-piracy CDs as part of its program to improve the
investment climate in the country.
5. (U) Note: Other important factors in the successful
DR-CAFTA vote included strong behind the scenes pressure from
post, active lobbying by the business chambers and a deal
between the GON and Sandinista leadership to allow three
"minor" amendments to the reforms in order to by-pass an
abortive effort by the Liberal Party to hijack the
legislative process in an attempt to gain amnesty for their
party leader, ex-president Arnoldo Aleman. End Note.
TRIVELLI