Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1543
2009-11-22 06:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
FIRST-EVER SAUDI REFERRAL OF COPYRIGHT VIOLATION
how-toVZCZCXRO5126 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1543 3260646 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 220646Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1954 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 001543
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR CHRIS WILSON, JASON BUNTIN
STATE PASS TO DOC FOR STEVEN GARRETT
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/BTA, E FOR U/S ROBERT HORMATS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EINV PREL SA
SUBJECT: FIRST-EVER SAUDI REFERRAL OF COPYRIGHT VIOLATION
TO BOARD OF GRIEVANCES IMMINENT PER DEPUTY MINISTER
REF: A. RIYADH 524
B. RIYADH 575
C. RIYADH 789
D. RIYADH 793
E. RIYADH 982
F. JEDDAH 297
G. RIYADH 1202
H. RIYADH 1366
I. RIYADH 1375
J. RIYADH 1423
K. RIYADH 1425
L. RIYADH 1426
M. RIYADH 1441
N. RIYADH 1459
O. RIYADH 1493
UNCLAS RIYADH 001543
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR CHRIS WILSON, JASON BUNTIN
STATE PASS TO DOC FOR STEVEN GARRETT
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/BTA, E FOR U/S ROBERT HORMATS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EINV PREL SA
SUBJECT: FIRST-EVER SAUDI REFERRAL OF COPYRIGHT VIOLATION
TO BOARD OF GRIEVANCES IMMINENT PER DEPUTY MINISTER
REF: A. RIYADH 524
B. RIYADH 575
C. RIYADH 789
D. RIYADH 793
E. RIYADH 982
F. JEDDAH 297
G. RIYADH 1202
H. RIYADH 1366
I. RIYADH 1375
J. RIYADH 1423
K. RIYADH 1425
L. RIYADH 1426
M. RIYADH 1441
N. RIYADH 1459
O. RIYADH 1493
1. (SBU) Deputy Minister of Culture and Information
Abdulrahman Al-Hazzaa told Econoffs that the Violations
Review Committee (VRC) would refer two copyright violation
cases to the Board of Grievances with recommendations for
150,000 SAR fines and 15 days imprisonment in both cases.
Al-Hazzaa said he would personally present the two cases to
Minister of Culture and Information Khoja, and he said he
expected the Minister would approve the referral. The VRC
has agreed that both cases warrant referral to the Board, he
continued, emphasizing the Committee "would not change its
mind" on this decision. The VRC will conclude its
deliberations and present the referral to the Minister once
they hear the accused parties' testimonies. One of the
accused parties was scheduled to appear before the VRC on
November 18. Al-Hazzaa said that one of the two suspects had
delayed responding to the summons, which held up the
referral, as the Board will not receive a case until the
accused has provided a statement.
2. (SBU) Comment: Al-Hazzaa previously told visiting AUSTR
Chris Wilson and members of the U.S. - Saudi IP Working Group
that a referral would occur in the near future. He has
delivered in the past and has proven to be a sincere
interlocutor to date. Post believes he will follow through
with the referrals as soon as the VRC completes its due
diligence, which includes hearing the testimony of the
accused. With the advent of the Eid holiday, this referral
may not take place until early December.
SMITH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR CHRIS WILSON, JASON BUNTIN
STATE PASS TO DOC FOR STEVEN GARRETT
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/TPP/BTA, E FOR U/S ROBERT HORMATS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR ECON EINV PREL SA
SUBJECT: FIRST-EVER SAUDI REFERRAL OF COPYRIGHT VIOLATION
TO BOARD OF GRIEVANCES IMMINENT PER DEPUTY MINISTER
REF: A. RIYADH 524
B. RIYADH 575
C. RIYADH 789
D. RIYADH 793
E. RIYADH 982
F. JEDDAH 297
G. RIYADH 1202
H. RIYADH 1366
I. RIYADH 1375
J. RIYADH 1423
K. RIYADH 1425
L. RIYADH 1426
M. RIYADH 1441
N. RIYADH 1459
O. RIYADH 1493
1. (SBU) Deputy Minister of Culture and Information
Abdulrahman Al-Hazzaa told Econoffs that the Violations
Review Committee (VRC) would refer two copyright violation
cases to the Board of Grievances with recommendations for
150,000 SAR fines and 15 days imprisonment in both cases.
Al-Hazzaa said he would personally present the two cases to
Minister of Culture and Information Khoja, and he said he
expected the Minister would approve the referral. The VRC
has agreed that both cases warrant referral to the Board, he
continued, emphasizing the Committee "would not change its
mind" on this decision. The VRC will conclude its
deliberations and present the referral to the Minister once
they hear the accused parties' testimonies. One of the
accused parties was scheduled to appear before the VRC on
November 18. Al-Hazzaa said that one of the two suspects had
delayed responding to the summons, which held up the
referral, as the Board will not receive a case until the
accused has provided a statement.
2. (SBU) Comment: Al-Hazzaa previously told visiting AUSTR
Chris Wilson and members of the U.S. - Saudi IP Working Group
that a referral would occur in the near future. He has
delivered in the past and has proven to be a sincere
interlocutor to date. Post believes he will follow through
with the referrals as soon as the VRC completes its due
diligence, which includes hearing the testimony of the
accused. With the advent of the Eid holiday, this referral
may not take place until early December.
SMITH