Blockchains and Trade-Related Copyright: Digitalization and the Trade 2030 Agenda

Barbados - 31 July 2019

Trade topics: Digital Trade, Intellectual Property

This paper, in addressing trade-related aspects of copyright, assesses the challenges and opportunities for creative industries in developing countries, especially, as it relates to making the transition to a digital creative economy and the adoption of block-chain technologies. The music industry is used as a case study because it is the creative sector which has experienced the greatest level of digital disruption and also among the first to embrace block-chain. The music industries in developing countries are highlighted given the long-term challenges of market integration in global value chains/networks. The paper explores block-chain technologies as one element of the digital economy in its capacity to present opportunities for these countries to increase market penetration and deepen global value-added.