Role of Standards in a Digital Economy

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n

GSR
2013

Background paper THE ROLE OF STANDARDS IN A DIGITAL ECONOMY

The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ITU or its Membership.

 ITU 2013
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GSR13 Discussion Paper

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
1. Standards and the (digital) economy ............................................................... 2
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2. The challenging relationship between patents and standards ................... 4
3. Concerns about patents in standards .............................................................. 6
4. Current arrangements for patents at standard setting organizations ....... 7
5. Tension and conflicts ......................................................................................... 11
6. The way forward – proposals for change ...................................................... 13

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THE ROLE OF STANDARDS IN A DIGITAL ECONOMY
Author: Dr Rudi Bekkers, Asst. Professor, Eindhoven University of Technology

1. Standards and the (digital) economy
More than ever before, standards are being recognized as pivotal for economic and social growth in our increasingly ‘digital’ world. This is reflected in the attention that policy makers are now devoting to the phenomenon. In the European Community (EC), for instance, standards and interoperability represent ‘Pillar II’ of the Digital Agenda for Europe.1 In the United States (U.S.), standards are a key component of the Strategy for American Innovation: Securing Our Economic Growth and Prosperity.2