Development in the Information Age Issues in the Regulation of Intellectual Property Rights, Computer Software and Electronic Commerce

by Ruth L. Okediji

UNCTAD-ICTSD Project on IPRs and Sustainable Development Series • Issue Paper 9

Development in the Information Age: Issues in the Regulation of Intellectual Property Rights, Computer Software and Electronic Commerce PDF  •  1.03 MB

The commercialisation of information communication technologies has been widely recognised as an important tool for economic growth. Not surprisingly, the associated benefits of information technology have been under-realised in most developing countries and LDCs. The persistent “digital divide” reflects disproportionate access to the most fundamental tools of this new economy, which includes digital content. Two copyright treaties, negotiated shortly after the WTO Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), establish minimum terms of a global framework for access and use of creative work in the digital environment.