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Escaping the TRIPs’ Trap: The Political Economy of Free and Open Source Software in Africa

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  • Christopher May

Abstract

Across sub‐Saharan Africa, the promise of ‘informational development’ is proclaimed. The global governance of intellectual property rights (IPRs), however, currently structured through the Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement and overseen by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), makes much software expensive to deploy. There is an alternative: open‐source and/or free software ameliorates many of the cost problems countries in Africa have anticipated as they have changed their laws to protect IPRs; using non‐proprietary software will enable them to deploy extensive computerisation without making large payments to suppliers from the developed countries. By escaping the TRIPs’ trap, many Africans will be better able to enjoy the potential benefits of ‘informational development’.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher May, 2006. "Escaping the TRIPs’ Trap: The Political Economy of Free and Open Source Software in Africa," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 54(1), pages 123-146, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:54:y:2006:i:1:p:123-146
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2006.00569.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sell,Susan K., 2003. "Private Power, Public Law," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521819145.
    2. Sell,Susan K., 2003. "Private Power, Public Law," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521525398.
    3. Alan G. Isaac & Walter G. Park, 2004. "On Intellectual Property Rights: Patents versus Free and Open Development," Chapters, in: Enrico Colombatto (ed.), The Elgar Companion to the Economics of Property Rights, chapter 18, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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