EU ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty

14.7.2016

Question for written answer E-005801-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marc Tarabella (S&D)

The Marrakesh Treaty aims to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled. It lays down mandatory exceptions to copyright rules, allowing organisations for the blind to reproduce, distribute and make available to the visually impaired accessible-format copies of books without first securing the authorisation of the rights-holders.

On 21 October 2014, the Commission submitted a proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Marrakesh Treaty.

On 3 February 2016, Parliament passed a resolution condemning the opposition of seven EU Member States to the ratification of the treaty and calling on the Council and the Member States to speed up the ratification process.

How does the Commission intend to resolve this situation?