WIPO Marrakesh Treaty On Copyright Exceptions For Blind Readers Clears US Senate

The World Intellectual Property Organization Marrakesh Treaty on copyright exceptions enabling international access to published works by blind and print-disabled readers was ratified this week by the United States Senate, putting it one step closer to final ratification in the country.

The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print-Disabled was agreed in 2013.

On 28 June, the full US Senate ratified treaty and passed implementing legislation to amend Title 17 accordingly, the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act (S. 2559).

The implementing legislation now goes to the US House of Representatives, and then on to the President, according to the bill summary. The US will then have to prepare and deposit its instrument of ratification to WIPO.

According to WIPO, there are at least 39 signatories to the Marrakesh Treaty already.

Knowledge Ecology International issued a statement recalling that the United States at a point was a key opponent of the treaty but ultimately supported it.

“The United States played a key role in initially supporting, but later blocking, and finally supporting the treaty,” KEI said. “During five years of contentious negotiations on the treaty text, there were many who opposed the treaty, and its prospects were uncertain, to say the least. But the determination of blind persons around the world, and the compelling need for a global cross border framework for exceptions prevailed.”

“It’s hard to find anyone who will admit trying to block the treaty earlier, but in fact, this was a contentious and very difficult negotiation,” they continued. “Now, the collections of accessible works located in the United States will be available to persons who are blind in other countries, including the developing world where access is often severely lacking. Blind persons in the United States will also have access to more works in English, but also in foreign languages, which are important to many U.S. blind persons, for both professional and personal uses. This is one example of how globalization can work for people that will shine for years.”