Developing countries launch nearly half WTO disputes

* WTO members file 400 trade disputes in 15 years

* U.S., EU most active, developing states launch nearly half

* Number of disputes has fallen in recent years

* More than half of disputes settled without litigation

By Jonathan Lynn

GENEVA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Developing countries have launched nearly half of the disputes at the World Trade Organisation in its 15-year history, the WTO said on Friday.

The figures show the dispute system is open to smaller and poorer countries as well as rich trading powers, even though the United States and European Union are the two biggest users.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said it was no surprise that the United States and European Union dominate the dispute system as they are the world's biggest traders.