As the European Union is changing its leadership, CCIA takes the opportunity to provide our thoughts on a forward-looking European trade strategy. Over the past two decades, the Internet has been a crucial element in the empowerment of small businesses and consumers. By democratising access to markets, it helps businesses connect with buyers and drives…
Geneva — In advance of the anticipated NETmundial conference on the future of Internet Governance, which will be organised by the Brazilian Government, stakeholders were encouraged to submit “Internet Governance principles” and share their views on the “further evolution of the Internet governance ecosystem.” At the end of the submission period, a total of 187…
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is the main international body for the conclusion of international Intellectual property treaties; it also runs a set of widely-used international IP registration systems, among them the PCT system that allows patent applicants to simultaneously seek protection for an invention in over 140 countries. In short, WIPO plays a…
The world’s highest and most diverse political body has finally reacted to this summer’s revelations of mass Government surveillance programs. Last week, a subcommittee of the UN General Assembly (GA) adopted a resolution on “The right to privacy in the digital age”, which contains a strongly worded condemnation of online surveillance. The resolution, which can…
The WTO public forum is perhaps the most visible result of the WTO’s revised public relations strategy following its tumultuous 1999 Ministerial Conference in Seattle. In recent years, it has become a major event in the international trade agenda as it transformed from a somewhat academic public outreach exercise to a well-attended ‘marketplace of ideas’ where industry, civil society and Governments discuss trade challenges in an open and constructive environment.
The past 10 years of the international Internet governance debate must have reminded some observers of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” – the same protagonists making the same arguments in a seemingly perpetual cycle. On one side of the debate is a group of Western Governments and a large part of the international business and…
What benefits can developing countries expect from cloud computing? And what policies are needed to fully seize its potential? Several questions were discussed at a peer review of the upcoming cloud computing report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It will be part of the Information Economy Report series – UNCTAD’s yearly flagship…
Throughout its 40-year history, CCIA has aligned itself with sensible IP and technology policy efforts and has also taken broader stands on things like human rights and free expression. Often, a case arises that commingles these interests. One such issue involves international copyright exceptions for those who are blind or have other reading disabilities. Delegates…
Less than two months have passed since the World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) in Dubai came to a halt over a controversial vote that would have extended a UN treaty largely centered around voice telecommunications to the Internet. Critics of the proposed revisions to the International Telecommunication Regulations breathed a bit easier as 55…
