Austria

Copyright

Does your national copyright legislation contain exceptions and other special provisions for people with visual impairment?
Do these exceptions allow for making copy of a book without the publisher's permission?
Do these exceptions allow for scanning books (in particular is an individual with visual impairment allowed to scan a book for him/herself, or does a special organization have to do it?)
Do these exceptions allow for sharing books produced on accessible formats? (in particular is an individual with visual impairment allowed to share with friends books he/she scanned?)
Are there special copyright provisions regarding accessible text books and other educational material?

 

1. Does your national copyright legislation contain exceptions and other special provisions for people with visual impairment?

No.

The Austrian audio library, for instance, has made an agreement with "Literara Mechana", an interest group to which they pay a fee for each book they produce. They therefore do not have to negotiate with publishers or authors.

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2. Do these exceptions allow for making copy of a book without the publisher's permission?

See above. Permission is granted by Literara Mechana.

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3. Do these exceptions allow for scanning books (in particular is an individual with visual impairment allowed to scan a book for him/herself, or does a special organization have to do it?)

Individuals are allowed to scan books for their personal use.

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4. Do these exceptions allow for sharing books produced on accessible formats? (in particular is an individual with visual impairment allowed to share with friends books he/she scanned?)

No.

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5. Are there special copyright provisions regarding accessible text books and other educational material?

Permission is granted to produce educational books.This falls under the Austrian Copyright Law - Urheberrechtsgesetz.

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