The dispute revolves around the use of what are known as standard-essential patents (SEPs) - patents that are deemed essential to the operationofstandards such as mobile phone signal.
It will co-ordinate the development and application ofstandards for computer support to meet the requirements of the shared bibliographic system and services in co-operation with the National Libraries of the countries participating in the COBISS network.
"That does not mean that we would be able to discuss the details of every counterterrorism operation, but it does mean that there are standards in place that are public and available for every American to review, " he said.
The proposed Protocol amends the existing Convention in order to bring it into conformity with current international standards on exchange of information, as reflected in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Model Tax Convention on Income and Capital and the current U.S. Model Income Tax Convention.
It also said it hoped their co-operation would help "define global specifications and component standards, an important prerequisite for achieving higher economies of scale".
An undercover operation by Devon County Council's trading standards department and Devon and Cornwall Police found that 34% of the off-licences and pubs visited sold alcohol to under 16s.