WASHINGTON – February 6, 2020 – Today, in its annual Special 301 filing, BSA | The Software Alliance requested that the US government continue working with its trading partners to promote fair and equitable market access to US companies that rely on intellectual property protection. Unwarranted restrictions on the ability to move information across borders are a critical market access concern for US companies – including BSA members – that drive innovation and job creation.

Each year, the software industry contributes roughly $1.6 trillion in GDP, 14 million jobs, and over $63 billion in R&D funding to the US economy. The software industry also makes significant investments in economic growth and innovation abroad. Foreign market access barriers that limit or impede the cross-border movement of data hamper this growth and innovation, including by cutting off local industries’ access to cutting-edge software innovations.

In its submission, BSA recommends that the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) place five countries, including China and India, on its Priority Watch List. BSA also recommended that USTR place five countries on its Watch List. BSA urges all countries to adopt forward-looking cross border data policies that promote innovation and prosperity in their own markets and around the world.

For a copy of BSA’s full submission, click here.