Mountain View's Locke suggests that the server location be taken out of the equation by basing the point of sale on where the company's headquarters are located, and Hennepin County's Johnson pointed out that software and computer-generated music transactions may prove to be undetectable and therefore untaxable.

CNN: The Internet tax revolt

At some point, however, the practice of basing western policy on pragmatic deals with Mr Milosevic will reach its limits.

ECONOMIST: A victory for despots? | The