Changing Dynamics of Global Computer Software and Services Industry: Implications for Developing Countries

This paper explores the issues surrounding the development of the computer software and services industry; examines how intellectual property rights affect their establishment and growth in developing countries, and discusses the implications from that for policy formulation. With the growing importance of knowledge-based industries such as computer software, the importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs) is at the same time being enhanced. The actual role and impact of IPRs, however, is being debated especially in relation to the process of developing domestic technological skills and capabilities in a globalized economy. On the one side of the debate there are those who believe that the impact of IPRs is determining the sectoral economic performance, while others perceive the impact of IPRs as a hindrance to indigenous technological development. This study reviews the debate in the context of computer software development in developing countries, with a view to expanding the economic opportunities of developing countries in this sector.--Publisher's description.