WTO, E-commerce and Information Technologies

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of one of the most important processes today determining the governance of information technology: the growing role of the World Trade Organization. The application of the WTO's rules-based trading system to the goods, services, and intellectual property that facilitate e-commerce, or that are traded via e-commerce, has a clear impact on the policies adopted by WTO Members to promote the development of the physical, human, and legal infrastructure for e-commerce. It is therefore essential that all stakeholders have a better understanding of the issues at stake.