ZookZ Vamoose: Music and Video Service Returns Membership Fees

ZookZ, the wacky subscription media service that was supposedly enabled by a WTO ruling specific to the country of Antigua, has suspended operations after being disavowed by the Antiguan government. The site had only launched last week; it offered unlimited downloads of unprotected music and video files for under $20 per month.

Here’s the Antiguan government’s press release:

St. John’s, Antigua. It has come to the attention of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that there is a web site named Zookz.com that offers unlimited entertainment downloads for a fixed monthly fee. The company claims it is operating from Antigua and therefore it is permitted to offer downloads under the auspices of a 2007 World Trade Organization ruling in the remote gaming case brought by Antigua against the US. The company’s claims to be “authorized” by Antiguan government approval or under the WTO case are without merit.

This press release is written to clarify the situation from the point of view of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. The Zookz.com web site is not operating under the authority or with the knowledge of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. More specifically, Zookz.com is not authorized by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, or by the World Trade Organization, to offer entertainment downloads in contravention of international law.

Minister of Finance Harold Lovell stated, “The operators of Zookz.com have not played any role in the Antiguan gaming industry or in our country’s case pending before the WTO. Only the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has the right to implement and oversee the intellectual property sanctions it was awarded by the WTO. As of this time, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has not authorized any person or entity to implement sanctions. While we may in the future consider exercising the right to impose sanctions, as of this moment, I am instead looking forward to meeting with the United States Government in the near future and focusing on a mutually beneficial resolution of the issues raised by the remote gambling case.”

Under the US-Gambling case before the WTO, Antigua retains its right to implement intellectual property sanctions against the US if the remote gambling matter can not be brought to a negotiated solution. If and when the Government of Antigua and Barbuda invokes sanctions it will follow WTO protocol.

The Zookz.com matter has been referred to the Antiguan Ministry of Legal Affairs for a full investigation.

Here’s ZookZ’ post on its now-unavailable site:

ZookZ website is temporarily not operating due to circumstances beyond our control and we are sorry you can’t get the music and movies you love at this time.

Due to this interruption, ZookZ is returning all membership fees paid to date by our existing customers. Your business is greatly appreciated and we look forward to getting you the best movies and music again soon.

ZookZ would like to thank its loyal customers, supporters and the people of Antigua for their continued support and understanding as ZookZ moves to return to full-service.

The ZookZ Team