"In 2003 WIPO published common guidelines on carrying out such research throughout the world. This methodology outlines four groups of copyright industries, identified on the basis of their level of dependence on copyright material. It establishes a set of major indicators – contribution to GDP, employment and foreign trade, and lays out research standards and approaches. The WIPO guidelines were developed on the basis of best international practices reviewed by an expert group of renowned economists. The guidelines have been implemented in over 40 countries around the world (30 studies have been completed and published) and their improvement continues with the experience gained. The present analysis is built on data from 30 national studies which have been finalized until December 2011. The analysis seeks to present the available data in a unified manner in order to facilitate further research and investigation in this area. The data matrix that has been created enables constant update of the overview of results from country studies and the presentation of the variables surveyed. Currently the data base includes over 60 variables, including data from other relevant sources that enhance reporting and analysis on the subject matter. The analysis and conclusions contained in this document present an overview of the performance of the copyright industries in selected countries in terms of macroeconomic indicators, compares this performance with other economic indicators and analyses the structure of this economic contribution, outlining trends and patterns in a comparative perspective." (Page 1)