John
It should be a noddy question, but isn't!
Publishers Association guidelines say it is OK for VI people to scan for
their own use.
http://www.pls.org.uk/publisher/PLS%20Blind%20leaflet.pdf. The
definition of VI just about arguably covers dyslexia, too, if you look
at it through rose tinted specs.
(Visually impaired people who have lawfully obtained a copy of a
published work, whether bought or borrowed, may make
whatever transcription, copy or format changes they require to
enable personal access to the work,)
The http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020033.htm Copyright
(Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002 is slightly more restrictive. I
don't see how it would cover dyslexia in general, although it might be
stretched to cover Meares/Irlen syndrome.
Arguably the fair dealing provisions (see
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/legal/index.cfm?name=lis_fair#fair%20dealing)
cover more than this, but obviously the Publisher's Association/RNIB
don't think so, or they wouldn't have bothered with the two documents
above.
So scanning for dyslexic students' personal use - whether by themselves
or by libraries - is distinctly iffy, but I don't see anyone being
prosecuted. . . But it is unfair on those who would prefer to respect
copyright.
Scanning by organisations producing electronic versions for distribution
to disabled people is entirely another affair, and, I think, currently
needs permission in each case.
There are guidelines for libraries, based on the above, at
http://www.nlbuk.org/bpm/chapter6.html#6.8 under "Copyright".
Regards
Ian Litterick
(Not a lawyer - anybody using this information should take their own
legal advice, preferably from a QC, etc, etc)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Conway [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 10 February 2003 14:08
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Scanning & OCR: Help please
>
>
> Hope this isn't a noddy question, but what are the copyright rules for
> scanning printed works.
>
> Dr. John S Conway
> Disability Officer
> Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 6JS
> Phone +44 (0) 1285 652531 ext 2234
> Fax +44 (0) 1285 650219
> http://www.royagcol.ac.uk/~john_conway/
> <http://www.royagcol.ac.uk/~john_conway/>
>
> Declaration : CONFIDENTIALITY: The contents of this message
> are the views of
> the author, not necessarily the views of the Royal
> Agricultural College.
> This is a private message intended for the named addressee(s)
> only. Its
> contents may be confidential. If you have received this
> message in error
> please reply to say so and then delete the message. Any use, copying,
> disclosure or distribution by other than the addressee is forbidden.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Litterick [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 2:02 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Scanning & OCR: Help please
>
> I have been asked by the British Dyslexia Association Computer
> Committee
> to put together a briefing document about the waste
> of resources in
> scanning already printed documents so that they can
> be accessed by
> people with dyslexia and disabilities, eg via text to
> speech. We
> would
> like a change of legislation on copying rights for people with
> disabilities to be included in this year's Disability
> Bill: see
>
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2003/jan/csd2201-flying
<http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2003/jan/csd2201-flying
>
.htm
We would like to know how big is the problem?
How much
time;
and
money
are spent by
organisations (eg RNIB, Talking Books); institutions (eg
University
support services); individuals (eg dyslexic students)
scanning and OCRing printed text to get it into digital form so
that
it can be used for:
changing its appearance (font size, colour etc); assisted
reading
(via Text to Speech, E Books) Braille.
And how much reading and learning doesn't get done because of
the
time and costs that would be incurred?
If you have any evidence from your experience or your
organisation
that would help to build a picture, however anecdotal, could you please
pass
it on to me? Thanks.
The aim would be to let UK legislation relating to Disability
Discrimination and publishing catch up with and perhaps overtake
that of the USA. The hope is that relevant organisations - eg BDA, RNIB,
Mencap can work together on this one.
Ian Litterick
BDA Computer Committee Member
iANSYST Ltd
www.dyslexic.com <http://www.dyslexic.com>
|