China implements Marrakesh Treaty to help visually impaired people get copyrighted books

An implementation promoting meeting for the Marrakesh Treaty was held on Sept 16 in Beijing, with officials of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) in attendance.

The Marrakesh Treaty allows for copyright exceptions to give the visually impaired access to copyrighted books and other works.

Zhang Jianchun, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at the meeting that the implementation of the treaty reflects the philosophy of putting people first, on which the CPC has always been resolute. It also demonstrates that China, as a major country, takes its global responsibility for disabled people and intellectual property governance seriously.

Zhang said that China will firmly fulfill its treaty obligations, continue to improve the mechanism and supervision of the treaty's implementation, as well as actively participate in the systematic establishment of the world's copyrights management for disabled people. These actions aim to facilitate the group's access to knowledge and services and help them enjoy the benefits of comprehensive development and common prosperity.

Zhou Changkui, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the CDPF, said that the implementation of the treaty facilitates the production and publication of accessible formats of works, and will further promote the equal participation of blind and dyslexic people in cultural life and sharing the fruits of development.

The CDPF will take the implementation of the treaty as an opportunity to enrich the supply of cultural products and services for people with disabilities, continuously meet the spiritual and cultural needs of the group, and enhance their sense of gain, happiness and security.

Daren Tang, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, sent a letter of congratulations to the implementation meeting. Sylvie Forbin, WIPO’s deputy director general, delivered a video message, welcoming China as an important member of the Marrakesh Treaty. She voiced her appreciation for China's efforts in promoting the equal participation of visually impaired persons in cultural life, and said that she looked forward to working with China in promoting the implementation of the treaty for the benefit of visually impaired people around the world.