European Union votes to ratify Marrakesh Treaty
The Marrakesh Treaty requires Contracting Parties to introduce a standard set of limitations and exceptions to copyright rules in order to permit reproduction, distribution and making available of published works in formats designed to be accessible to the visually impaired and otherwise print disabled, and to permit exchange of these works across borders by organizations that serve those beneficiaries. <http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/news/Pages/European-Union-votes-to-ra...> [] "Thanks to this legislation, the adaptation and cross-border exchange of copyrighted books will be assured for non-profit uses to serve blind and visually-impaired people," said the EBU. Over 90% of all published materials cannot be read by blind or print-disabled people, leading to a "book famine." Current copyright rules within most countries prevent the ability to reproduce published materials into accessible formats, such as Braille, large print, and audio editions. Working with WIPO, the WBU led the international campaign to develop the Marrakesh Treaty that would facilitate Access to Published Works by people with print disabilities. The Marrakesh Treaty signed in Morocco on 28 June 2013, is a legally binding international agreement that creates mandatory exceptions to national copyright law to protect the human rights of individuals with print disabilities. To date, 33 countries have ratified the Treaty. An addition of 25 EU countries will be a milestone achievement for the WBU's effort to enhance the human rights of print-disabled people. More information about the Marrakesh Treaty is available on our WBU website <http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/our-work/our-priorities/Pages/right-2...>.
participants (1)
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Alberto Cammozzo