MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRADE PRIORITIES
(BY ISSUE)
The ability of multimedia information technology firms to advance international business
objectives depends on the creation of a global, regional and country specific environment that
enables the investment, production, distribution and sale of content, technology and services
around the world. International trade negotiations are an important means of creating this
environment. This trade agenda is also a tangible way to increase revenues and decrease costs
for multimedia operations globally. The specific priorities to be pursued multilaterally,
regionally and bilaterally include:
Eliminating restrictions on the ability to invest or acquire overseas media and
communications assets and engage in those lines of business:
full market access, national treatment and no ownership restrictions in:
o
basic or value added telecom services
o
computer and related software implementation services
o
terrestrial broadcast and cable networks
o
news agency services
o
print media and publishing services
o
film production and projection services (including cinema theatre management and
ownership)
o
film and consumer product distribution (both retail and wholesale services) for both
physical and digital delivery
o
video leasing and rental services
o
sound recording production/entertainment services and music publishing services
o
music product distribution (both retail and wholesale services) for both physical and
digital delivery
elimination of media cross ownership restrictions
Lowering the costs for producing and moving both physical and digital products and
network inputs and access devices:
zero tariffs or customs duties on:
o
equipment used to build global networks (data centers, cache sites, call centers)
o
devices used to access networks (satellite decoders, computers, handsets, other net
enabled devices)
o
film and magnetic tape
o
paper products
o
packaged media (movies, music, software) on all carrier mediums
o
film and sound recording production equipment
o
broadcast transmission equipment
o
movie and music promotional materials
o
electronic transmissions
global standard on customs valuation based on the value of the carrier medium
trade disciplines governing parallel imports
lower postal rates, through promotion of greater competition and safeguards to protect new
entrants in the provision of bulk rate mail services
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