TW: Amendment to Copyright Act Promulgated

In order to incorporate WIPO Marrakesh Treaty and to facilitate access to published works for persons with visual or hearing impairments, or otherwise print disabled, the amendment to Taiwan’s Copyright Act promulgated on January 22, 2014. The amendment represents a significant step toward the goal of assuring equal opportunities to access published works for all persons, without regard to disability. It is also a new departure for Taiwan’s Copyright Limitations and Exceptions to promote the participation of people with disabilities in society.

The Amendment provides registered schools of all levels, non-profit organizations and local or central government agencies to produce accessible-format copies without permission from copyright holders, thereby facilitating accessibility and exclusive use of such works by individuals with visual and hearing impairments. Similarly, in absence of such permission, people with such impairments or their guardians could also produce the said copies for their own nonprofit use. To this purpose, producers may circumvent the technical protection measures adopted by copyright holders. The copies produced may be imported or circulated among the said agencies, organizations, schools and visually and hearing impaired people, thus enhancing the sharing of resources. 

(Source: Taiwan Intellectual Property Office)