On Thursday we reported that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz had reported that the Apple iPad has been blocked from entering Israel, with customs officials confiscating all devices upon entry.
Today, the Israeli Ministry of Communications has elaborated on their reasoning behind the ban.
Says spokesperson Yechiel Shavi: “This device’s wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel.”
Shavi added that if Apple releases a new version that complies with EU Wi-Fi standards, the ban will be overturned. Apple, in rebuttal says: “The iPad complies with international industry standards for Wi-Fi specifications.”
The ban makes little sense to anyone outside of Israel. Apple uses a standard Wi-Fi chip that is industry-wide. From a technical standpoint, the ban doesn’t make sense, says Richard Doherty, an analyst with the technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, via the WSJ.
We will certainly keep you updated on any development, as this story keeps getting stranger and stranger.
Result for: customs officials
According to EU customs officials, seizures of pirated goods have jumped 55 percent year-on-year from 2007, from 79 million to 178 million items seized.
DVDs and CDs accounted for a massive 44 percent of all the items seized, jumping 2600 percent from 2007 from 3 million to 78 million units seized.
Says the European Commission, via Variety, that the significant increase is due to improved “cooperation” between the media industry and authorities. The EC also added that overall cases of suspected violation of intellectual property rights rose from 43,000 in 2007 to 49,000.
The report also noted China and greater Asia as the “main source of all counterfeit goods.”
Result for: customs officials
The United States has added Canada to its piracy Priority Watch List, calling the nation one of the worst “offenders of copyright piracy.”
Adds the US Trade Representatives (USTR): “In this time of economic uncertainty, we need to redouble our efforts to work with all of our trading partners - even our closest allies and neighbors such as Canada - to enhance protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.”
ESA (Entertainment Software Association) of Canada CEO Michael Gallagher approved of the move adding: “Canada’s weak laws and enforcement practicies foster game piracy in the Canadian market and pave the way for unlawful imports into the US.”
The ESA believes Canada need to strengthen its lax rules on piracy, ban mod chips completely, “provide Customs officials with the authority to seize counterfeit products on the Canadian border” and create “incentives” for ISPs to stop piracy at its source.
“Canada contributes significantly to the development of today’s leading games - creating thousands of high-paying jobs along the way,” Gallagher added. “We are eager to see Canada become a full partner in protecting these products on the way to market.”
The other nations on the Priority Watch List are Argentina, Chile, China, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela, Algeria and Indonesia.
