Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (access to copyright works or other subject-matter for persons with perceptual disabilities) had First Reading on March 24, 2016. The essence of Bill C-11 is to implement the goals of the Marrakesh Treaty in Canada, permitting certain reproductions of protected material to enable accessibility for persons with a print disability. To do so, Bill C-11 would make amendments to ss 32, 32.01, 32.02, and 41.16.

The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled was adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in June 2013. Canada is not a contracting party, but has adopted the goals of the treaty to strengthen the Copyright Act.

CALL/ACBD welcomes the introduction of Bill C-11 and encourages its early passage and entry into force.

Post written by Kim Nayyer