Marrakesh Treaty on copyright exceptions for the visually impaired

3.3.2015

Question for oral answer O-000021/2015
to the Council
Rule 128
Pavel Svoboda, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs

The ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty is eagerly awaited by blind, visually impaired and other reading-disabled people and their families, so that they can fully enjoy freedom of expression and the right to education.

Article 10 of the Marrakesh Treaty says that ‘nothing shall prevent Contracting Parties from determining the appropriate method of implementing [its] provisions within their own legal system and practice.’ Did the Council consider the appropriate ratification process before the Commission initialled the Marrakesh Treaty on 28 June 2013? If so, what was the Council’s opinion at that time?

The Council expressed its support for the Marrakesh Treaty by adopting a decision already on 14 April 2014 authorising its signature on behalf of the European Union. Why is the examination of the proposal for its conclusion still ongoing?

Some Member States have expressed the opinion that some provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty do not fall within the exclusive competence of the European Union. In the light of the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, does the Council consider such opinions material?

Are there any substantial obstacles delaying the swift authorisation of the Council to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty?