Brussels / Geneva, 01/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Until the autumn, the European Commission will refrain from commenting on the result of Geneva arbitration on the legality of the US provisions aimed at making national companies directly benefit from the receipts of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties. The conclusions, which were recently the subject of "leaks", are still "provisional and confidential", it is pointed out in Brussels, where a final judgement is expected from experts during the second fortnight in September. Other parties in the dispute - in which ten countries have opposed the United States since January 2001 including Japan, Canada, Australia, India, Korea, Brazil and Mexico - consider the direction taken by the special group of the World Trade Organisation is encouraging. Washington, on the other hand, does not agree with the panel's verdict and is preparing to appeal for an eventual, and what seems a likely, formal condemnation of the so-called "Byrd" Amendment after the name of the person who instigated this innovative mechanism of compensation for damage caused by certain unfair trade practices from foreign competition. Shortly after diffusion of the provisional verdict, official US sources wishing to remain anonymous promised they would challenge the ruling "if it became final" and that they "vigorously defend" these provisions which are "conform to WTO rules".