This background paper reviews copyright, patent, and trade secret protections as these issues are related to computer software. Topics discussed include current issues regarding legal protection for computer software including the necessity for defining intellectual property, determining what should or should not be protected, commerical piracy,…

Examines the current status and future directions of information technologies and informatization processes in Latin American countries. Topics discussed include the diffusion of information technologies, foreign trade, local production of computer hardware and software, information policies, and regional cooperation. (23 references) (CLB)