Blind Law School Dean Explains Why We Need The WIPO Copyright Treaty For The Blind
from the must-watch dept
As the MPAA and other copyright maximalist organizations continue to try to block the WIPO copyright treaty for the blind, which will make it easier for blind people around the globe to be able to access creative works, I was touched by this incredible video from Ron McCallum, the former dean at the University of Sydney Law School, where he is now an Emeritus Professor. McCallum has been blind since birth, and in the video he talks about how technology changed his life and allowed him to do so much -- and how important the treaty in question is, to allow that same revolution to help others, especially in less developed countries.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: blind, books, copyright, reading, ron mccallum, treaty, wipo
Companies: mpaa
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See: https://nfb.org/joint-statement-national-federation-blind-president-marc-maurer-and-mpaa-chairman-se nator-chris-dodd
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Because for the past while, the MPAA has been doing everything it can to stop said treaty?
Your link was put up last Thursday. Meaning that's the earliest that Dodd could have reversed his position and said "Ya know what, I want blinds too!" However, Mike's article here on the blind has been on the backburner for a while. I've been seeing it pop up in the Crystal Ball for what must be a couple of weeks now. Meaning that when it was written (not published for general viewing) Dodd was still anti-blind.
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Lip service, nothing more.
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Now is the time to refocus on this singular objective and cull the document of extraneous issues.
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Do yourself a favor. Put on a blindfold, and don't take it off for 24 hours. Get a blind person's perspective on the world. Maybe you'll develop some sympathy for them.
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This from a Republican whose motto is "Let's compromise. Do it my way".
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No, I'm pretty sure they do hate blind people
Blind people aren't exactly part of their target demographic...
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[/sarc]
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But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
"expansion of the rights of the public (things like fair use)" -- Right there Mike tacitly admits that he wants to change the deal, and in what direction. It's a rare revelation, usually he pretends to not have an opinion. But "fair use" is right now pretty well nailed down -- Mike has no problem stating when it applies to this case or that. And of course the wedging action is helpful to the type of grifters whom Mike favors -- file hosts like Mega(upload) -- which corporate entities would use any weakening of well established law to go yet further in monetizing someone else's work.
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Re: But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Ha.
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Re: But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
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Re: But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
If he used "for the brainless", you'd be far more sympathetic, because then you'd be included.
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Re: But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
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Re: But Manipulator Mike's only interest is to weaken copyright.
Fair use is nailed down because Mike talks about it? LOL!
And "Screw the blind in case grifters benefit" is the worst reason for supporting the MPAA's position. Wow, you really have surpassed yourself, Blue. 'Scuse me while I barf.
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The right to shift and alter works already owned is a part of the First Sale doctrine.
Second, this is about providing an exception to existing copyright law so that works can be modified to be enjoyed by people with disabilities. The real injustice is this isn't legal to begin with.
You are literally advocating that laws to accomodate blind people are far too much of an overreach, trampling on copyright, and that anyone assuming this position isn't doing it because they care about the blind.
This is why you maximalists are viewed as extremists who do not have the public good in mind.
If you believe being against the rights of the blind gets you unfairly labeled, here's a strategy: don't be against the rights of the blind!
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"Limitations on exclusive rights: Reproduction for blind or other people with disabilities"
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Gotcha.
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How is that obvious?
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oh, to be able to put those fuckers into the same positions as they have put others! what a wonderful feeling it would be to be able to say 'now, how do you like it?'
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