Cable operators say they’ll defy copyright law

The Olympic Games will open next month in Sydney, Australia, but in Belize the biggest sport seems to be wrestling over who can broadcast the event on television. In a press release issued today, the Belize Cable Television Operators Association explained that while it fully supports government’s efforts to implement recently passed copyright legislation, it is not prepared to sign any agreement that deals with copyright. Tortured logic aside, what this means is that cable operators have refused an offer by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, holder of the Olympic broadcast rights for Belize and the region, that would have allowed them to legally broadcast the Olympic Games for a token fee. According to the release the cable guys intend to broadcast the fifteen-day event in violation of the CBU’s rights, an action that will no doubt send the parties to the Supreme Court. Commenting on today’s events CBU President Stewart Krohn said that he was not surprised by the turn of events. “These are the same people who treat your children to sex and violence for twenty-four hours a day and then tell you they are providing a public service. Having gotten away with that, they think they can get away with anything.” The CBU president, who is also managing director of Channel Five, says that his organisation will seek all remedies available under the law to protect its rights.