In theory, the Uruguay Round Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) will oblige developing countries to pay more in copyright fees and royalties than they will gain from the advantages of trade liberalization. This apparent lack of reciprocity in the agreement has resulted in considerable reluctance among developing countries to implement the treaty. In fact, the TRIPS agreement potentially contains a greater degree of reciprocity than has been recognized. Developing countries could gain considerably if they possessed the commercial and legal skills to protect their intellectual property--such as design, animation, and music--which is being used illegally by developed countries.

Panelists at this event will discuss whether the Doha negotiations will add a "development dimension" to the WTO, and whether TRIPS can make intellectual property a more productive instrument in developing countries.