SIIA Urges U.S. Trade Representative to Promote Digital Trade & Protect Intellectual Property in the New Services Agreement Negotiations
For Immediate Release
SIIA Communications Contact: Laura Greenback, +1.410.533.1943
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SIIA Urges U.S. Trade Representative to Promote Digital Trade & Protect Intellectual Property in the New Services Agreement Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 26, 2013) The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, today filed comments with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) urging the agency to use the negotiations for a new International Services Agreement to lower barriers to trade in digital services and to maintain a high degree of intellectual property protection and enforcement.
“Sustainable growth in the 21st century economy relies upon the unrestricted flow of information and data,” said SIIA President Ken Wasch. “Our domestic online information businesses reach across the globe, so removing barriers to the establishment and delivery of digital information services will enhance economic performance. Digital information products and services can reach far broader audiences to spur further innovation, prepare workers for 21st century jobs, and bring greater understanding that fosters better decision-making.”
In its comments submitted today, SIIA urged USTR to establish two principles in the services agreement:
- Cross-Border Information Flows: Governments should not prevent businesses that supply services in other countries, or customers of those suppliers, from electronically transferring information domestically or across borders, accessing publicly available information, or accessing their own information stored in other countries.
- Local Infrastructure: Governments should not require ICT service suppliers to use local infrastructure, or establish a local presence, as a condition of supplying services.
Wasch continued, “Strong IP protections for software and digital content have been an essential element in fostering explosive technology growth and a wider variety of educational materials and information products that increase productivity, effectiveness and knowledge. Trade agreements must not take steps backward from high standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.”
About SIIA
SIIA is the leading association representing the software and digital content industries. SIIA represents approximately 700 member companies worldwide that develop software and digital information content. Information technology (IT) and software security are critical issues to SIIA’s members, many of whom strive to develop safe, secure and state-of the-art products that effectively serve their commercial and government customers alike, while protecting their intellectual property. For more information, visit www.siia.net.
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