BSA hails GATT as big step in protection of intellectual property. (Business Software Alliance, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)

Software Industry Report, December, 1993

The Business Software Alliance has hailed last week's successful negotiation of a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), saying it will "enhance critical copyright protection for computer software programs."

For the first time, BSA says GATT will require all 112 nations to provide comprehensive protection for Computer software. The pertinent GATT text calls for protection of computer programs as literary works as provided under the Berne Convention, the international framework for legal protection for software programs and other copyright works.

"While not all copyright issues are addressed, GATT is a positive development for the software industry," BSA says. "Approximately $12 billion is lost each year to software piracy. GATT will assist one...

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