History
In 1986, ABES was created to help secure a more open market of software and related technical services for Brazil to be able to compete internationally and leave its technological underdevelopment in the past. That was a time of market reserve in the Information Technology sector that was incompatible with finding intelligent and innovative solutions.
One year later, Law no. 7646/87 – the first software law – was passed. Timidly, the market took its first steps towards regulation. However, piracy started to be felt as a broad and serious problem to be faced. In 1988, the first educational campaign was launched against the use of illegal software and in 1989 legal action was taken again companies.
In 1990, the federal government started to open the country for globalization and the Consumer Defense Code was out. In this scenario of change, ABES and other related organizations helped set up policies for the informatics sector at the Conselho Nacional de Informática (CONIN, meaning Brazilian Informatics Council), with the aim to cushion the impacts of market reserve in the sector. Protectionism proved to be unwise.
With the fall of market reserve, the scenario started to change and some national software producers started to set sail abroad. Nevertheless, many foreign companies came to settle in Brazil and users gained access to products that could only be purchased in an illegal way until then.
The Brazilian market responded well to this new reality. Sales channels expanded and made way for the great boom in the acquisition of microcomputers and software: equipment could now be bought from supermarkets. Internet was then a reality and paved the way for e-commerce, home banking and the expansion in telecommunications, especially mobile telephony.
In 1998, Law no. 7646/87 was revoked. In place, Law 9609/98 was passed to provide legal protection to the authors of computer software and the companies that sold them. However, the work concerning the legal protection of software, the regulation of program sales and tax reduction is always in progress.
Today, ABES is sure that the 21st century is the software century! The Software Sector is one of the great economic opportunities Brazil has ahead of itself to become a world provider of unique products and services. Therefore, ABES will always concentrate efforts on its mission.
ABES has actively participated in the evolution Brazil is going through; it will always highlight the importance of the Brazilian Software and IT Services Industry (IBSS) and claim public policies that build a strong model for the sector and a strategic view adjusted to the global reality.
Next is a summary of ABES’ major milestones and goals achieved for the sector, especially in the legislative field.
2015 – Important partnerships are set up with the aim to boost the technology sector in the country. Some of the said partners are WENOVATE – Centro de Open Innovation Brasil, which organized the “100 Open Startups” movement; Associação Sul-Riograndense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento de Software (SOFTSUL – meaning Association for Supporting Software Development in the State of Rio Grande do Sul); Softex Campinas; Rede Paulista de Inovação (RPI, meaning São Paulo State Innovation Network) – SP; Tecvitória – Incubadora de Empresas de Base Tecnológica (meaning Tech-based Companies Incubator) – ES; Centro Internacional de Tecnologia de Software (meaning International Center for Software Technology) – PR and AM; and the BH-Tec (MG), Porto Digital (PE) and Itaipu (PR) technology parks.
– the SaaS Committee is created, within a model that addresses Software as a Service; the Grupo de Trabalho de Tributação (meaning Tax Working Group) is created, linked to the Regulatory Committee.
– ABES launches the Conecta! platform, through which associates can offer special products and services to the organization’s member companies.
2014 – MPME Inovadora credit line is launched to finance the introduction of innovations in the market, partnered with several offices and entities as per Brazilian state and with the participation of BNDES.
– ABES joins social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to boost communication, relationship and dialogue with associates and other interest groups.
– ABES becomes a member of the Conselho Nacional de Combate à Pirataria (CNPC – meaning National Council for Fighting Piracy), of the Ministry of Justice.
– ABES signs a Cooperation Agreement with CIETEC, with the aim to support the development of incubated companies and innovative tech-based startups.
– The “Empreendedor Legal” Campaign (meaning Legal Entrepreneur) is launched, with the aim to fight unfair competition and foster national competitiveness, exploring the importance of the use of official software.
– the Board of Innovation and Incentive is created, accountable for concentrating all information and actions to favor the access of associates to innovation as well as private and public financial resources.
– ABES partnered with Caixa de Assistência das Empresas de Software e Serviços Complementares do Brasil (CAESBRA, meaning Brazil’s Software Companies and Complementary Services Assistance Fund) and A2G Insurance brokers to make Saúde Bradesco health insurance available to the associate companies.
2012 – ABES’ head office in São Paulo (SP) is reopened, and a new program for marketing and communication is launched, including a new logo, a new Internet portal and customer service.
– The ABES Customer Service and ABES Internet Portal are launched to boost communication and expand the contact points of the organization with its associates and society; the statutory seat is also renovated.
Reopening of the ABES Seat in 2012
2011 – the Exporte Legal Campaign (meaning Legal Export) is launched to alert businessmen about the importance of adjusting to the new reality of the world commerce and stimulate the use of licensed software.
– First edition of the ABES Software Conference.
2007 – As Federal Law no. 11.452 is passed, 10% CIDE is no longer charged for remitting funds abroad due to the commercialization of software in the Country.
2006 – Software companies can now file for the Simples tax regime.
2005 – PIS/PASEP and COFINS reduced from 9.25% to 3.65%.
2004 – The software industry is appointed as a priority in Brazil and ABES presents a tax proposal for the sector.
2003 – Complementary Law no. 116/03 is approved and defines software as a service.
2002 – On November 13, ABES opens its own head office in São Paulo, located in the Moema district.
Opening of the ABES Seat in 2002
2001 – ABES proposes a bill that defines software providing as a service, subject to the ISS tax only.
1998 – The new Lei de Software (meaning Software Law) is issued in Brazil (Law 9609)
1996 – IRRF (withholding tax) reduced to 15%.
1994 – Early registration for computer software is dismissed.
1992 – Tax-related victory concerning the ICMS (meaning Tax on the Circulation of Merchandise and Services).
1989 – The Campanha de Combate à violação dos Direitos Autorais (meaning Fight Against Copyright Violation Campaign) starts.
1987 – The 1st Lei do Software (meaning Software Law, no. 7646) is issued.
1986 – Abes is founded with the participation of 16 companies.
Meeting that originated ABES in 1986
One year later, Law no. 7646/87 – the first software law – was passed. Timidly, the market took its first steps towards regulation. However, piracy started to be felt as a broad and serious problem to be faced. In 1988, the first educational campaign was launched against the use of illegal software and in 1989 legal action was taken again companies.
In 1990, the federal government started to open the country for globalization and the Consumer Defense Code was out. In this scenario of change, ABES and other related organizations helped set up policies for the informatics sector at the Conselho Nacional de Informática (CONIN, meaning Brazilian Informatics Council), with the aim to cushion the impacts of market reserve in the sector. Protectionism proved to be unwise.
With the fall of market reserve, the scenario started to change and some national software producers started to set sail abroad. Nevertheless, many foreign companies came to settle in Brazil and users gained access to products that could only be purchased in an illegal way until then.
The Brazilian market responded well to this new reality. Sales channels expanded and made way for the great boom in the acquisition of microcomputers and software: equipment could now be bought from supermarkets. Internet was then a reality and paved the way for e-commerce, home banking and the expansion in telecommunications, especially mobile telephony.
In 1998, Law no. 7646/87 was revoked. In place, Law 9609/98 was passed to provide legal protection to the authors of computer software and the companies that sold them. However, the work concerning the legal protection of software, the regulation of program sales and tax reduction is always in progress.
Today, ABES is sure that the 21st century is the software century! The Software Sector is one of the great economic opportunities Brazil has ahead of itself to become a world provider of unique products and services. Therefore, ABES will always concentrate efforts on its mission.
ABES has actively participated in the evolution Brazil is going through; it will always highlight the importance of the Brazilian Software and IT Services Industry (IBSS) and claim public policies that build a strong model for the sector and a strategic view adjusted to the global reality.
Next is a summary of ABES’ major milestones and goals achieved for the sector, especially in the legislative field.
2015 – Important partnerships are set up with the aim to boost the technology sector in the country. Some of the said partners are WENOVATE – Centro de Open Innovation Brasil, which organized the “100 Open Startups” movement; Associação Sul-Riograndense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento de Software (SOFTSUL – meaning Association for Supporting Software Development in the State of Rio Grande do Sul); Softex Campinas; Rede Paulista de Inovação (RPI, meaning São Paulo State Innovation Network) – SP; Tecvitória – Incubadora de Empresas de Base Tecnológica (meaning Tech-based Companies Incubator) – ES; Centro Internacional de Tecnologia de Software (meaning International Center for Software Technology) – PR and AM; and the BH-Tec (MG), Porto Digital (PE) and Itaipu (PR) technology parks.
– the SaaS Committee is created, within a model that addresses Software as a Service; the Grupo de Trabalho de Tributação (meaning Tax Working Group) is created, linked to the Regulatory Committee.
– ABES launches the Conecta! platform, through which associates can offer special products and services to the organization’s member companies.
2014 – MPME Inovadora credit line is launched to finance the introduction of innovations in the market, partnered with several offices and entities as per Brazilian state and with the participation of BNDES.
– ABES joins social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to boost communication, relationship and dialogue with associates and other interest groups.
– ABES becomes a member of the Conselho Nacional de Combate à Pirataria (CNPC – meaning National Council for Fighting Piracy), of the Ministry of Justice.
– ABES signs a Cooperation Agreement with CIETEC, with the aim to support the development of incubated companies and innovative tech-based startups.
– The “Empreendedor Legal” Campaign (meaning Legal Entrepreneur) is launched, with the aim to fight unfair competition and foster national competitiveness, exploring the importance of the use of official software.
– the Board of Innovation and Incentive is created, accountable for concentrating all information and actions to favor the access of associates to innovation as well as private and public financial resources.
– ABES partnered with Caixa de Assistência das Empresas de Software e Serviços Complementares do Brasil (CAESBRA, meaning Brazil’s Software Companies and Complementary Services Assistance Fund) and A2G Insurance brokers to make Saúde Bradesco health insurance available to the associate companies.
2012 – ABES’ head office in São Paulo (SP) is reopened, and a new program for marketing and communication is launched, including a new logo, a new Internet portal and customer service.
– The ABES Customer Service and ABES Internet Portal are launched to boost communication and expand the contact points of the organization with its associates and society; the statutory seat is also renovated.
Reopening of the ABES Seat in 2012
2011 – the Exporte Legal Campaign (meaning Legal Export) is launched to alert businessmen about the importance of adjusting to the new reality of the world commerce and stimulate the use of licensed software.
– First edition of the ABES Software Conference.
2007 – As Federal Law no. 11.452 is passed, 10% CIDE is no longer charged for remitting funds abroad due to the commercialization of software in the Country.
2006 – Software companies can now file for the Simples tax regime.
2005 – PIS/PASEP and COFINS reduced from 9.25% to 3.65%.
2004 – The software industry is appointed as a priority in Brazil and ABES presents a tax proposal for the sector.
2003 – Complementary Law no. 116/03 is approved and defines software as a service.
2002 – On November 13, ABES opens its own head office in São Paulo, located in the Moema district.
Opening of the ABES Seat in 20022001 – ABES proposes a bill that defines software providing as a service, subject to the ISS tax only.
1998 – The new Lei de Software (meaning Software Law) is issued in Brazil (Law 9609)
1996 – IRRF (withholding tax) reduced to 15%.
1994 – Early registration for computer software is dismissed.
1992 – Tax-related victory concerning the ICMS (meaning Tax on the Circulation of Merchandise and Services).
1989 – The Campanha de Combate à violação dos Direitos Autorais (meaning Fight Against Copyright Violation Campaign) starts.
1987 – The 1st Lei do Software (meaning Software Law, no. 7646) is issued.
1986 – Abes is founded with the participation of 16 companies.
Meeting that originated ABES in 1986
