SOFTWARE INDUSTRY WILL CONTRIBUTE $20 BILLION TO US TRADE BALANCE IN YEAR 2000.

The US software industry will contribute more than a $20 billion surplus to the total US trade balance during the year 2000, up $7 billion from its contributions in 1999, estimates Brian McEachron, senior corporate attorney for Microsoft Corp. McEachron testified last month before the Trade Deficit Review Commission on behalf of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and Microsoft.

"The US software industry last year employed more than 800,000 US workers and contributed over $28 billion in tax revenues to federal and state governments," McEachron testified. "A growing trade surplus means even more jobs and revenues for the US economy. By 2008, the software industry will employ more than 1.3 million workers in the US and contribute $50 billion to our economy. No other high-tech industry is providing employment opportunities at such a rapidly increasing rate."

McEachron emphasized that the success of the US software industry is due in large part to this country's historical commitment to strong intellectual property protection.

"Unfortunately, the US software industry does not enjoy the same level of intellectual property protection outside the United States," McEachron said.