PUTTING IPR TO MUSIC IN NICARAGUA HELPED PASS

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