International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) Geneva, July 13, 2009 (from 9 to 10.30 a.m.)
Background
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organized a meeting on the needs of visually impaired persons and the associated IP challenges on Monday, July 13, 2009, from 9 to 10.30 a.m., at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
The proliferation of digital technologies has added a new dimension to the question of how to maintain a balance between the protection available to right owners, on the one hand, and the needs of specific user groups on the other hand. User groups which seek to benefit from reasonable exceptions and limitations to copyright protection include more than 160 million blind or visually impaired persons around the world.
The meeting provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss, in practical terms, how the intellectual property system can best meet the needs of visually impaired people by improving timely access to copyright-protected content.
The event was open to the public (see press release).
Program/Presentations
The program and the audio recording are available. Speakers’ presentations will be added at a later stage
Background
- Conclusions of SCCR/18 session
- Treaty Proposal
- Stakeholder’s Platform: Interim Report (Summary report from WIPO Meetings with Rightsholders and the VIP Sector Representatives on January 19, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland and on April 20, 2009 in London, United Kingdom)
- Study on Limitations and Exceptions for the Visually Impaired, by Judith Sullivan (2007) [PPT]
- Study on Automated Rights and Limitations and Exceptions, by Nic Garnett (2006), plus presentation of the study [PPT] [PDF] (This study is focused on two exceptions: distance education and visually impaired)
- Paper on copyright exceptions and the visually impaired (2004) [PDF]
- Information Meeting on Access to Digital Content by the Visually Impaired (2003)
Shortcuts
- Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights
- On-line registration
- Hotel Information
- Media Accreditation Form
- Program
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo
A Nigerian entertainer who was born totally blind performed in WIPO Headquarters on July 13, 2009. His music is a blend of different genres (soul/jazz/soft rock/reggae) influenced by ethnic African tunes.