Response to the IPO Consultation on the Marrakesh Treaty

We support a world where all books are accessible by design.

The Publishers Association

In 2018, the Intellectual Property Office opened a consultation, seeking views on how the UK could implement the Marrakesh Treaty. There were 15 responses in total, including our own as an organisation representing rightsholders.

UK publishers have been heavily involved in the evolution of the UK’s approach to book accessibility and have played a key role in what has become a major success story for this country. As such, we welcomed the Marrakesh Treaty and have long looked forward to its ratification in the UK.

In addition to responding to the specific questions posed, our response to the Intellectual Property Office’s consultation focuses on three areas. Firstly, we set out the progress the UK has made in ensuring that an increasing percentage of books are accessible to those with print disabilities. Secondly, we explain how the current UK legal framework has enabled this success. Thirdly, we provide suggestions as to how we can ensure that the UK continues to lead the world in the provision of reading materials for those with print and other disabilities.