This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Regulation implementing the Marrakesh Treaty in the EU
SUMMARY OF:
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
It sets out the rules for how works or other subject matter1 in accessible format copies2 are shared between the EU and non-EU countries that are party to the Marrakesh Treaty, for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled, and without needing copyright holder permission.
KEY POINTS
The Marrakesh Treaty
The Marrakesh Treaty requires countries who sign up to it to adopt national laws encouraging books to be produced in accessible formats, such as braille, e-text, audio or large print, aimed at people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled. These laws should also make it easier to share these items across national boundaries without needing authorisation by the copyright holder. The treaty was signed in 2013 and was ratified by the EU on . The EU became a party to the treaty on .
This regulation
An EU country authorised entity3 is permitted to make available to beneficiary persons4, or to any authorised entities in non-EU countries which are party to the treaty, accessible versions of books or other written materials allowed by Directive (EU) 2017/1564, the directive implementing the Marrakesh Treaty in the EU, and these items may also be imported and used by such persons or entities.
An authorised entity must:
- discourage unauthorised reproduction and distribution to the public of accessible format copies;
- keep records of its handling of works and accessible format copies;
- publish information on how it complies with these obligations;
- follow rules on the processing of personal data of beneficiary persons;
- provide the following information in an accessible way, on request, to beneficiary persons, other authorised entities or copyright holders
- the list of works for which it has accessible format copies and the available formats and
- contact details of the authorised entities involved in the exchange of accessible format copies.
Review
By , the European Commission will evaluate the regulations’s operation and report to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee, with proposals for amending the regulation, where appropriate.
FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?
It has applied since .
BACKGROUND
For more information, see:
- Implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in EU law (European Commission)
- EU accedes to the Marrakesh Treaty (European External Action Service).
KEY TERMS
- Work or other subject matter: a book, journal, newspaper, magazine or other kind of writing, notation, including sheet music, and related illustrations, in any media, including in audio form such as audiobooks and in digital format, which is protected by copyright or related rights and which is published or made publicly available.
- Accessible format copy: a copy of a work in a form that gives a beneficiary person access as feasibly and comfortably as a person without any of the impairments or disabilities covered by this regulation.
- Authorised entity: an entity authorised or recognised by a country to provide education, training, adaptive reading or information access to beneficiary persons on a non-profit basis.
- Beneficiary person: a person who is blind, has a visual impairment, or a perceptual or reading disability and is unable to read printed works to the same degree as a person without such an impairment, or is unable to hold or manipulate a book or to focus or move their eyes to the extent normally acceptable for reading.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Regulation (EU) 2017/1563 of the European Parliament and of the Council of on the cross-border exchange between the Union and third countries of accessible format copies of certain works and other subject matter protected by copyright and related rights for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled (OJ L 242, , pp. 1-5)
last update