As the world’s leading voice for the high tech industry, the mission of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is to promote policies and practices that foster technology innovation, IT investment and confidence in our computer infrastructures and networks.

The future of the Internet, software innovation and a healthy e-commerce marketplace are largely shaped by how companies and policy makers around the world address several key issues.  It is critical that public policies promote innovation through strong intellectual property protection. In order to advance software innovation, technology choice and neutrality are critical.  And, we must enable trust in the Internet through innovation, security and privacy. 

In addition, we need to expand growth and opportunity through open, barrier-free markets.  This is especially true in critical emerging markets including China, Brazil, India and Russia.  BSA has renewed its efforts in China this year, including expanding our in-country staff and holding our first annual meeting in Beijing in April.  BSA and its members were encouraged by the results of US-China trade talksearlier this year, and we remain hopeful that the Chinese government will translate the agreed-to principles into concrete action.  In addition, we are encouraged by China’s commitment to complete and implement a plan for ensuring legal software use by enterprises by the end of this year which will provide the basis for greater compliance by business entities.

In India, BSA continues to partner with NASSCOM, India’s National Association of Software and Service Companies, the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT software and services industry. BSA and NASSCOM work together to create greater awareness about protecting and respecting intellectual property.  These efforts include include joint education initiatives to raise the awareness about the importance of software asset management. 

In Russia, BSA’s outreach includes education campaigns to help businesses understand the importance of software asset management.  BSA is also working with policymakers to ensure the adoption and enforcement of strong IP laws.  And, in Brazil, BSA is a member of the National Council Against Piracy. This important government advisory board provides a forum for business and government to work together on IP education and policy initiatives. 

As always, there are obstacles and challenges we must meet. That’s why we must work collectively to foster a healthy policy and education environment for continued technology innovation around the world.

As the world’s leading voice for the high tech industry, the mission of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is to build a safe and legal digital world that fosters IT investment, innovation and confidence in our networks.

The future of the Internet, software innovation and a healthy global e-commerce marketplace will largely be shaped by how companies and policy makers around the globe over the next few years address several key issues.  Copyright protection, free trade, competitive procurement processes, strong cyber security and education will continue to play key roles in the future of software innovation.  And that, in turn, will impact every business and consumer that is increasingly part of the information society.

The best way to sense the real value of software is to try to imagine our world without it.  After all, software is no longer just the code that runs computers; it’s the “infrastructure” that makes our world happen.   Imagine the world without home appliances, transportation systems, telecommunications devices, entertainment media, medical delivery and national defense, to name but a few.  

And, the best is yet to come. In a survey conducted last year, the CEOs of BSA’s member companies affirmed their belief that 75 percent or more of software’s benefits still lie ahead. 

In June 2004, the BSA CEOs introduced their Initiative for the Future which included a report and recommendations on education and the importance of IT literacy. This is the first in a series of reports to be released over the next 6 to 8 months that will examine the challenges and opportunities facing innovation, intellectual property protection, cyber security and trade. 

As always, there are obstacles and challenges we must meet. That’s why we must work collectively to foster a healthy policy and legal environment for continued software innovation around the world.

These are challenging but exciting times for our industry. Although the technology sector – like many segments of industry – is navigating through an economic slowdown, the future holds great promise for continued growth and innovation. By 2005, the number of people online is expected to double from the current 500 million, indicating we have barely begun to see the impact that the Internet and information technologies will have on every aspect of our businesses, governments and society.

The BSA’s member companies understand this potential, and the challenges we must overcome to realize the full promise of the information economy.

Among the key challenges we face is security. Trust and security in cyberspace is crucial for e-commerce and e-government to flourish. BSA member companies are the leaders in developing the hardware and software necessary to secure our networks, and we are dedicated to promoting policies and public-private partnerships and dialogues that guard our networks against the next generation of attacks.

Also crucial for the future of technology is strong intellectual property protection. Software piracy cost the industry $11 billion last year. The BSA and its members have been successful in promoting education programs and international laws that that protect copyrights in the digital age. And we remain committed to ensuring that new intellectual property standards protect creative works while promoting continued technological innovation.

Policies that foster innovation, however, must be coupled with policies that promote barrier-free e-commerce, lower tariffs and open new markets worldwide. Trade expansion is crucial for getting the economy - and the high tech sector - back on track.

The BSA member companies create the products that drive the information age. And we are dedicated to using our knowledge and resources to promote a robust, safe and legal online world.

Best regards,
Robert Holleyman
President & CEO