India has become the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty for the visually-impaired, putting the agreement one step closer to implementation.





The Human Resource Development Ministry in a statement here said that the move would go a long way in establishing equal rights, besides educational and employment opportunities, for the visually-impaired or print disabled.



The treaty, which was ratified on June 30, will facilitate the import of accessible format copies from member states through authorised entities such as educational institutions and libraries.



It would come into affect after ratification from twenty more countries, enabling visually-challenged people to easily access published works in India.



So far, 79 World Intellectual Property Organisation member states have signed the Marrakesh treaty. “The development will also facilitate translation of imported accessible format copies and export of accessible format copies in Indian languages,” the statement said. The Marrakesh Treaty is in accordance with the Indian Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012.

