17 USC 121A - Limitations on exclusive rights: reproduction for blind or other people with disabilities in Marrakesh Treaty countries

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 26, 2024

§ 121A.

Limitations on exclusive rights: reproduction for blind or other people with disabilities in Marrakesh Treaty countries

(a)

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 602, it is not an infringement of copyright for an authorized entity, acting pursuant to this section, to export copies or phonorecords of a previously published literary work or of a previously published musical work that has been fixed in the form of text or notation in accessible formats to another country when the exportation is made either to—

(1)

an authorized entity located in a country that is a Party to the Marrakesh Treaty; or

(2)

an eligible person in a country that is a Party to the Marrakesh Treaty,

if prior to the exportation of such copies or phonorecords, the authorized entity engaged in the exportation did not know or have reasonable grounds to know that the copies or phonorecords would be used other than by eligible persons.

(b)

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 602, it is not an infringement of copyright for an authorized entity or an eligible person, or someone acting on behalf of an eligible person, acting pursuant to this section, to import copies or phonorecords of a previously published literary work or of a previously published musical work that has been fixed in the form of text or notation in accessible formats.

(c)

In conducting activities under subsection (a) or (b), an authorized entity shall establish and follow its own practices, in keeping with its particular circumstances, to—

(1)

establish that the persons the authorized entity serves are eligible persons;

(2)

limit to eligible persons and authorized entities the distribution of accessible format copies by the authorized entity;

(3)

discourage the reproduction and distribution of unauthorized copies;

(4)

maintain due care in, and records of, the handling of copies of works by the authorized entity, while respecting the privacy of eligible persons on an equal basis with others; and

(5)

facilitate effective cross-border exchange of accessible format copies by making publicly available—

(A)

the titles of works for which the authorized entity has accessible format copies or phonorecords and the specific accessible formats in which they are available; and

(B)

information on the policies, practices, and authorized entity partners of the authorized entity for the cross-border exchange of accessible format copies.

(d)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to establish—

(1)

a cause of action under this title; or

(2)

a basis for regulation by any Federal agency.

(e)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability to engage in any activity otherwise permitted under this title.

(f)

For purposes of this section—

(1)

the terms “accessible format”, “authorized entity”, and “eligible person” have the meanings given those terms in section 121; and

(2)

the term “Marrakesh Treaty” means the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities concluded at Marrakesh, Morocco, on June 28, 2013.

(Added Pub. L. 115–261, § 2(a)(2), Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3668.)

cite as: 17 USC 121A