WASHINGTON, DC — February 6, 2015 —

BSA | The Software Alliance today will stress the need for international protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and concerns about growing barriers to trade in its submission in the annual “Special 301” determinations.

“The software industry is facing challenges that are increasingly complex and more difficult. Many countries are erecting market access barriers that would significantly impede the industry’s ability to do business in key markets like China and Brazil. This hurts all economies and cannot continue,” said BSA President and CEO Victoria Espinel. “At the same time, the amount of unlicensed software being used around the world is valued at $62 billion, which is simply unacceptable. Ensuring open market access, the free flow of data across borders and effective intellectual property protection are indispensable for continued innovation and growth of the global digital economy.

BSA filed individual comments with the USTR for the first time this year to call attention to the broader scope of issues, especially challenges posed by growing market access barriers, as well as the importance of protection for intellectual property.

The submission recommended seven countries be placed on USTR’s Priority Watch List, including Argentina, China, Russia and Vietnam. In addition, BSA recommended nine countries for placement on USTR’s Watch List, including Brazil and South Korea.

Click here for a copy of BSA’s full submission.