US embassy cable - 04ABUJA1679

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(U) ACTING ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA

Identifier: 04ABUJA1679
Wikileaks: View 04ABUJA1679 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Abuja
Created: 2004-10-02 06:46:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Tags: ETRD ECPS ECON SCUL NI
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

020646Z Oct 04
UNCLAS ABUJA 001679 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USTR, EXIM 
 
E.O. 12958: NA 
TAGS: ETRD, ECPS, ECON, SCUL, NI 
SUBJECT: (U) ACTING ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA 
 
REF: Lagos 1933 
 
1. (U) Further to reftel, we recommend that EXIM take 
account of alleged IPR violations of U.S. copyrights 
when considering whether to lend or guarantee loans to 
potential Nigerian importers of U.S. goods and 
services or their Nigerian banks.  The illicit 
proceeds from software piracy possibly exceed those 
generated by video films (mentioned in reftel). 
Microsoft, for example, is suing Globacom, Nigeria's 
second national carrier, for illegal use of 
Microsoft's products after being notified by Microsoft 
to cease and desist from doing so.  Microsoft's action 
was prompted by Globacom's alleged unwillingness to 
pay about $180,000 for authorized use of Microsoft 
products prior to the two companies' falling out 
(source: Financial Standard, September 27, 2004). 
Since Globacom may have benefited from EXIM support 
despite Globacom's alleged infringement of Microsoft 
rights, we recommend that EXIM take account of 
possible IPR infringements in the course of EXIM's due 
diligence reviews. 
 
CAMPBELL 

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