Books and media accessible to the blind

brussels - The 30 million blind and partially sighted people in the EU have access to more books, newspapers, magazines and sheet music. Barriers to copyright of audio and braille books have been eliminated. The Member States and the European Parliament have reached a negotiating agreement in Brussels.

Blinden and their stakeholders will no longer need permission from right-holders to copy or distribute books or other printed matter. Publishers may be compensated. Member States can make arrangements themselves.

The EU can now take further steps to ratify the 2013 Marrakesh Treaty. This provides for the exchange of reading for visually impaired persons with other treaty countries.

The agreement must formally be approved by the EU institutions.