INFORMATION POLICY IN THE EUROPEAN-COMMUNITY - BALANCING PROTECTION AND COMPETITION

This article discusses European Community policy as it relates to info rmation technology and the information industry. With the advent of a common market within Europe there is an increase in competition and th e removal of national barriers. This process is slow and difficult to accomplish and is not yet complete. Markets have traditionally been fr agmented by linguistic differences, as well as different standards and laws. An EC policy towards information and information technology ind ustries has evolved since the 1960s. This policy has steered a difficu lt course between protectionism and liberalization. It is unclear whet her or not the common European market will be sufficient on its own to foster a competitive information market and information technology in dustry. The European Commission has traditionally taken an interventio nist role. In the field of EC information law many, but by no means al l, issues have been confronted. The Commission's role is changing from giving significant grants for collaborative European research and dev elopment towards incentives to companies to increase their own researc h and development spending, and towards building information infrastru cture.