Should There Be New Multilateral Rules for Digital Trade?

Burri, Mira (24 October 2013). Should There Be New Multilateral Rules for Digital Trade? (Unpublished) (Think piece for the E15 Expert Group on Trade and Innovation). International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development

Preview

Text SSRN-id2344629.pdf - Draft Version Available under License BORIS Standard License. Download (1MB) | Preview

The Internet revolution and the digital environment have spurred a significant amount of innovative activity that has had spillover effects on many sectors of the economy. For a growing group of countries – both developed and developing – digital goods and services have become an important engine of economic growth and a clear priority in their future-oriented economic strategies. Neither the rapid technological developments associated with digitization, nor their increased societal significance have so far been reflected in international economic law in a comprehensive manner. The law of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in particular, has not reacted in any proactive manner. A pertinent question that arises is whether the WTO rules are still useful and able to accommodate the new digital economy or whether they have been rendered outdated and incapable of dealing with this important development? The present think-piece seeks answers to these questions and maps the key issues and challenges which the WTO faces. In appraisal of the current state of affairs, developments in venues other than the WTO, and proposals tabled by stakeholders, some recommendations for the ways forward are made.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

453 since deposited on 09 Sep 2014
37 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item