USITC Announces Seminar on Int’l Dimensions of Cloud Computing
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) this week announced a Seminar scheduled for June 19 to highlight an article recently published by the agency that provides an overview of the global market for cloud services, and an excellent resource for policymakers seeking to answer questions about cloud computing and how to enable greater adoption. The study helps us understand just how damaging trade barriers could be for the growth of our software and computer services firms, providing evidence and concluding that “cloud computing is already a source of significant revenue for U.S. exporters and multinational firms.” Read more about the article on SIIA’s Digital Discourse blog, or for more information about the briefing, contact Philip Stone.
Forced Localization:
The New Protectionism Localization requirements, or governments attempt to restrict the sale of goods and services within their territory to those which have been produced locally, have been around for a long time, but what seemed like a series of isolated incidents has recently become too much of a trend. If left unchecked, this trend could seriously undermine the goal of increasing the flow of goods and services across borders, particularly increasingly cloud-based IT products and services. SIIA and other worldwide businesses and trade associations are seeking an effective response to the growing threat of a new protectionism based on localization initiatives. In a recent post on SIIA’s Digital Discourse blog, Mark MacCarthy highlights these challenges and argues that only a sustained, high-level commitment from the U. S. government will turn the tide against this new form of economic nationalism. SIIA urges that this issue be moved to the highest levels of U.S. government decision making and raised in all significant international venues including economic gatherings of heads of state such as the recent G-8 meeting, meetings of the ministers of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group, committees of the World Trade Organization, OECD working groups and trade discussions such as TPP. Read more.
Outlook for TPP Deal in 2012 Uncertain as Dallas Discussions Conclude
This round of discussions for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement concluded in Dallas on May 16 with indications that a deal might not be possible this year. The sticking points include two of SIIA’s priorities for the negotiation–strong copyright protections and a proposal to ensure the free flow of electronic information across borders. On May 17, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing on the TPP progress where business representatives confirmed the difficulties in moving ahead with the U.S. proposal on IP protection. Negotiators meet informally in June on the margins of a get-together of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group in Kazan, Russia. The next formal round of negotiations is scheduled for San Diego July 2-10.
G8 Leaders’ Joint Declaration on Global Economy Highlights Importance of IPR
President Obama and the other members of the G-8 leadership released a joint statement this weekend declared the pressing need for diligent protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights while committing to preserve and encourage the free exchange of information. The statement reads, “[g]iven the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) to stimulating job and economic growth, we affirm the significance of high standards for IPR protection and enforcement, including through international legal instruments and mutual assistance agreements, as well as through government procurement processes, private-sector voluntary codes of best practices, and enhanced customs cooperation, while promoting the free flow of information.” The full G-8 Declaration can be found here.
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David LeDuc is Senior Director, Public Policy at SIIA. He focuses on e-commerce, privacy, cyber security, cloud computing, open standards, e-government and information policy.