United States Supports New Treaty to Facilitate Visually Impaired Persons 'Access to Books

摘要

At a diplomatic conference convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Marrakesh, Morocco, in June 2013, the United States joined in adopting by consensus the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled. U.S. adherence to the treaty will require Senate advice and consent. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and other copyright interests reportedly worked to weaken the treaty prior to its conclusion, viewing it as a precedent for reduced copyright protection in other areas. However, following the treaty's conclusion, the MPAA and the National Federation of the Bind issued a joint statement expressing satisfaction with the outcome.