Protecting the Right to Read: Analysing the Implementation of the Marrakesh treaty in India

Abstract

Visually impaired people face challenges in getting access to reading materials in disabled-friendly formats due to copyright provisions. To provide visually impaired and print-disabled students with an even field, the Marrakesh treaty was enacted to craft legislative exceptions in the copyright regime of every ratified country so that copyrighted materials could be provided to disabled persons in accessible formats without any hindrance. Despite these exceptions in Indian copyright law, there are deficiencies existing in the successful implementation of this treaty. This article will study the provisions of this treaty and copyright law, examine the challenges in the implementation of the Marrakesh treaty, and conclude with recommendations to ensure that the objectives of this treaty are realised in letter and spirit.