His comments at a World Intellectual Property Organisation conference came amid signs of a rift between rich and poor nations over the best approach to take on patented technology that can be used to tackle global warming.

"The key message is that a fair agreement on technology transfer is crucial to seal the deal in Copenhagen," said Haraldo de Oliviera Machado Filho, a senior advisor in Brazil's government committee on climate change.

Intellectual property systems were often seen as "a significant barrier" in transferring technology from rich to poor nations, he said.

Many key technologies that can help countries adapt to global warming or mitigate its effects, such as by cutting emissions, were patented or would be patented in the future, he underlined.

"With these technologies there should be an understanding that patents must not be an obstacle for developing countries," de Oliviera Machado Filho told the meeting.

Chinese deputy intellectual property commissioner Li Yuguang called for a broader approach than the traditional intellectual property regime, including a "joint development fund" that could also be used to "buy and disseminate free of charge the major adaptation and mitigation technologies."

British minister for higher education and intellectual property David Lammy insisted there was a need to "get the balance right" but he did not address funding directly.

"It's not just a question of getting hold of green technology, from, for example, increased licensing. We also need to build capacity so that poorer countries can develop their own knowledge and skills base," he said.

The negotiations to seal a climate change treaty in Copenhagen in December have been dogged by disagreements over targets for cuts in carbon emissions and a fund from rich nations to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Some officials have suggested waiving patent protection on essential technologies, similar to an international system for medicines needed against major infectious diseases.

"There are many other ways of providing for technology transfer before we get to that," Ian Fletcher, chief executive of British intellectual property office told journalists on the sidelines of thre WIPO meeting.

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