To take the example of transactions of soft music through electronic media, in cases where such transactions are not conducted through an electronic medium, music is sold in the form of CDs, which, as a goods transaction, should be subject to GATT disciplines. On the other hand, transactions such as ticket sales made through electronic media should be categorized as a service transaction. Categories of electronic commerce should therefore be clarified using this basic approach, whereupon liberalization negotiations should be advanced within the GATT and the GATS respectively. New rules should be considered only for those transactions which fall outside the existing categories. An international framework for electronic commerce, which includes means for dispute settlement, should be established by having the WTO agreements incorporate the result of the discussions on electronic commerce in other international institutions, obliging members to observe these.
Examples are as follows.