Title: Bridging the digital divide: booming or doomed? A study of digital inclusion projects in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nigeria

Authors: Dinusha Mendis

Addresses: Centre for Law, Information and Converging Technologies (CLICT), Lancashire Law School, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

Abstract: This paper will look at the concept of the |digital divide| by way of introduction, before moving on to illustrate, through examples drawn from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nigeria, the manner in which steps have been taken to bridge the divide in these countries. Whilst it is important to bridge the digital divide so that everyone can have equal rights to development, education and freedom of expression this paper also questions the further implications which come with it. For example, do stringent intellectual property rights, particularly copyright laws act as a barrier to narrowing the digital divide? Furthermore even if developing countries manage to overcome these laws are the less-developed countries equipped to deal with such digital technology? Are the governments of these countries prepared to create the necessary laws to address the issues which arise from digital technology? Do they have the necessary legal infrastructure?

Keywords: digital divide; Bangladesh; Sri Lanka; Nigeria; intellectual property rights; IPR; copyright laws; societal impact; digital inclusion; legal infrastructure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPL.2009.024478

International Journal of Private Law, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.371 - 384

Published online: 06 Apr 2009 *

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