WASHINGTON — May 1, 2015 —

BSA | The Software Alliance today welcomed the US Trade Representative’s annual Special 301 Report, which assesses the state of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and market access for IP owners by key trading partners.

"BSA has long advocated for policies in markets around the world that facilitate innovation and growth in the digital economy," said BSA President and CEO Victoria Espinel. "The Special 301 Report, with its focus on assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of IPR and market access, is an important tool for achieving these objectives."

"The report shows that IPR protection has improved in some markets, but that the use of unlicensed software remains a significant global problem," Espinel said. "Furthermore, we are concerned by a growing number of policies that threaten market access, particularly in some of the fastest growing emerging markets, such as China and India."

"We thank Ambassador Froman and his team for their commitment to addressing these issues,” Espinel concluded. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and other governments to develop strong IPR protections and unencumbered market access as they improve productivity, enhance quality of life, and create jobs."

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