The debate on intellectual property rights with regard to ICT

To date, consumers’ access to ICT (computers and Internet) in the region has been on a pay basis, though they have not necessarily had to pay for software, content and related services. Where software is concerned, microenterprises and medium-low income consumers have taken advantage of free access to illegal copies. Text and videos protected by intellectual property rights laws and agreements have, in practice, also been available to consumers, both through digital piracy, i.e. illegal commercial reproduction and distribution of copies, and through non-profit social sharing of copies among Internet users.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure