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Funding and governance of library and information services for visually impaired people: international case studies

Part2:Country studies

UK

Copyright

The UK implemented the Information Society Directive in October 2003. Simultaneously, it amended the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 by introducing detailed exceptions for the benefit of visually impaired people - the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002.

This establishes two exceptions, one for single copies and one for multiple copies. Creating an accessible format on a noncommercial basis without the rights holder's permission is no longer an infringement of copyright, assuming an equivalent accessible version is not available commercially. In the case of multiple copies, the law allows for the establishment of licensing schemes, and compels organisations producing accessible material to adhere to the terms of such schemes where they exist. However, no scheme can undermine the basic rights conferred by the Act.

The Act essentially removes the need to seek copyright permission to reproduce materials in alternative formats; both multiple copies by the charities and single copies for individual visually impaired peopel by libraries.

However the exception is restricted to visually impaired people unlike other countries in Europe (and elsewhere) which encompass print-impaired people.

One respondent stated that “The position has actually worsened for dyslexics as previously organizations which served them may no longer do so as they would have to continue to seek copyright permissions as previously, negating the benefits of the 2002 Act.”