Back in November 2004 discussions started to gain momentum at WIPO as to how WIPO should take into account the interests of developing countries when formulating intellectual property policy and treaties. These discussions, prompted by 'Friends of Development', a group of 14 states led by Brazil and Argentina, have raised questions about whether intellectual property laws are a help or a hindrance to developing countries which on the one hand need copyright laws to help grow their creative industries and, on the other, require access to medicines and educational materials.

At a meeting on 20th July discussions will continue and the many proposals submitted by member states will be considered.

Discussions in this extremely sensitive area are becoming less and less antagonistic despite the inflexible position of the 'Friends of Development' which is calling for root and branch reform of WIPO. Right holders in developing countries have been documenting their own reliance on copyright and there is now an awareness of the positive cultural and economic contribution which copyright brings to developing countries. It is surprising however that even countries with well developed creative industries such as India and Brazil have decided to challenge the importance of copyright.

British Music Rights has been representing the British Copyright Council and highlighting the importance of the creative industries for the cultural identity of developing countries and their economy; we also suggested further research by WIPO might be useful to help show exactly what the economic contribution of copyright is for many developing countries. These figures can only help to show the enormous importance of copyright to all developing countries.