Press Release

House Passes Marrakesh Treaty Implementing Legislation

The Association of American Publishers commends the United States House of Representatives for unanimously passing the implementing legislation for the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (S. 2559). The Marrakesh Treaty helps facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled, which is particularly important in developing countries. The implementing legislation, which amends the Copyright Act to enable the United States to join the Marrakesh Treaty, was passed by the United States Senate in June 2018 and the bill is now slated for signature for the President.

“Thanks to the work of the House and Senate, the United States is now in position to join the 39 other nations who have ratified and implemented the Marrakesh Treaty,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “AAP has been working with our partners for many years on this balanced legislation, and we are ready to see the bill signed by the President.”