European Council Takes Action To Advance Marrakesh Treaty For Blind Persons

The European Council of member states yesterday adopted a decision asking the European Commission to draft legislation on Europe’s ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty on increasing access to publications for blind and visually impaired readers.

The Marrakesh Treaty was concluded at the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2013, and WIPO members have been in the process of ratifying it since.

The EU Council decision states:

“Treaty on access to published works for blind and visually impaired people

The Council adopted a decision requesting the Commission to submit a legislative proposal with a view to amending the EU’s legal framework so that it complies with the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled.”