WASHINGTON, DC - The Business Software Alliance today applauded the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet for drawing attention to protectionist measures that prevent US IT firms from accessing critical foreign markets in a hearing on international IP enforcement, a press release by the Alliance stated.

“To continue growing and creating jobs that will contribute to economic recovery, American software companies need access to foreign markets,” said BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman. “I commend Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Watt, and Deputy Under Secretary Stanek Rea for drawing attention in today’s hearing to the unique types of trade barriers that IT firms increasingly face in emerging markets and for exploring policy solutions.”

“We are seeing a wave of protectionism sweep through the world’s most important emerging economies — and it is directed specifically at IT products and services,” Holleyman said. “Trading partners are locking out US and other competing IT firms by restricting government procurement, manipulating technology standards, and other means often tied to intellectual property interests. This is an urgent problem for the innovation-driven digital economy. Addressing it will require US officials to use every tool they have available, including bilateral, multilateral, and regional trade pressure.”

BSA recommends a specific action agenda in a new report on the wave of IT-focused trade barriers that is sweeping through key emerging markets. The report is available online at www.bsa.org/tradelockout.

The Business Software Alliance is the leading global advocate for the software industry.