Details
The rapid development of the Internet has led to a growing potential for electronic trade in digital content like movies, music and software. As a result, there is a need for a global trade framework applicable to such digitally-delivered content products. Yet, digital trade is currently not explicitly recognised by the trade rules and obligations of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This study provides a complete analysis of the related challenges in the ongoing WTO Doha Negotiations to remedy this state of affairs. It elaborates on the required measures in the multilateral negotiations to achieve market access for digital content and examines the obstacles that lie on the path to reach consensus between the United States and the European Communities. Negotiation parameters analysed include the current US and EC regulatory approach to audiovisual and information society services and the evolution of their applicable trade policy jurisdiction. Finally, this examination takes stock of how the Doha Negotiations and parallel US-driven preferential trade agreement have so far contributed to securing free trade in digital content.
As new technologies are an increasingly prominent source of trade dispute, this book is an assessment of how WTO Members can maintain the relevance of the multilateral trade framework in a changing technological and economic environment.
"This important work highlights the missed opportunity in on-going global trade talks -- the failure to pursue a free trade framework for digitally delivered content. If not corrected, one can readily imagine the rise of discriminatory barriers to digital trade of the type that have dogged global trade flows for years, and a failed recognition by the WTO of the reality of modern commerce. The WTO should, as the author argues, put a "spotlight" on electronic trade, and move forward in a comprehensive fashion."
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, Former United States Trade Representative
"Wunsch-Vincent provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges to establish a liberal trade regime for trade in digital products. This book will become an important point-of-reference for anybody interested in e-commerce and the WTO."
Carlos A. Primo Braga, Senior Adviser, International Trade Department, The World Bank
Sacha Wunsch-Vincent is Economist at the Information, Computer and Communications Policy Division of the OECD and Visiting Fellow of the Institute for International Economics. He teaches international trade at Sciences Po (Paris).
The work is timely because, as the author recognizes, this new area of international trade is lightly and incompletely regulated...the author has done exactly what he set out to do, firmly cementing himself as a leading commentator on trade in digital products and this book as compulsory reading for anyone hoping to understand the field.
Andrew Mitchell
Global Law Books
May 2007
…it deserves attention not only from the academic world, but also from both policy makers and business community…this book merits being on the bookshelf of anyone interested in this far important and interesting topic. The author has filled in a gap in academic literature with a substantive analysis of the requirements that must be addressed in the relevant ongoing multilateral trade talks to achieve a fully liberal trade flow of digitally delivered content products.
Katia Bodard
SCRIPT-ed
April 2007
…the WTO rules do not yet provide a clear legal framework for international trade in digitally-delivered content products. Wunsch-Vincent's book provides a well-written, thorough and lucid analysis of the challenges the WTO faces with regard to these products.
Marco Slotboom
Common Market Law Review, Vol 44, Issue 1
2007
The author exposes the complex range of politics and cultural issues that lurk under the surface…The text provides an exceptional level of detail that clearly demonstrates the issues facing the WTO today.
Stephen Mason
Society for Computers & Law
2006
... this is a very convincing, very thorough, and very pessimistic analysis of why one of the most promising areas of international trade… remains on uncharted waters….a must read for all practitioners, analysts, and researchers interested in multilateral trade negotiations. It will also be a valuable source of reflection for anyone trying to understand and anticipate how deeply international relations are and will be affected by the information revolution.
Bruno Lanvin
Journal of International Economic Law
Volume 9, no. 3, September 2006
...thorough, balanced, and unique examination of the international trade policy framework governing the exchange of 'digitally-delivered content products'...
Judson O. Berkley
Journal of World Trade
February 2006
...clearly a highly important contribution and will become compulsory reading for anybody interested in this subject area - academics, policy practitioners and members of the business community alike.
Martin Gedult v. Jungenfeld
Swiss Trade Newsletter
February 2006
