67. The representative of India, while referring to her delegation's paper on the matter, said that electronic commerce was a new and complex area for many Members, including India. The Secretariat's paper (IP/C/W/128) listed very lucidly some key issues that needed to be appreciated in the context of the applicability of existing intellectual property standards and rules to electronic commerce. On the basis of the paper and the discussions on the matter that had been held, she concluded that it would be unrealistic to assume that all intellectual property-related aspects of electronic commerce had been addressed, including the dynamism that underpinned its growth and diversity. Her delegation would appreciate comments from Members on its paper. India believed that time was needed to understand and address the concerns that had been raised in its paper and in the past discussions, and that the debate on electronic commerce needed to be made more intensive and wide before any views on future action could evolve. Referring to the informal consultations held on the matter, she hoped that, while there had been a virtual absence of consideration of the developmental dimension in relation to intellectual property rights and electronic commerce, the Council would be able to take up the issue in a full and integrated manner. She reserved the right to revert to any issue at a later time.
