[nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonder to UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind

[David Andrews]

I agree with you John:  we don't know for a fact what Stevie Wonder 
said and this is to important to be consumed by blindness politics.

Dave

At 01:58 PM 9/21/2010, you wrote:
>The truth is that Stevie Wonder is trying to do a very good thing 
>for blind people all over the world. To attack him for a unfortunate 
>choice of words is unfair. It amazes  me how all of a sudden, people 
>on this list are into PC language.
>
>The truth is that Stevie Wonder's choice of words is not the main 
>issue here. The real issue is getting those treaty exceptions 
>ratified. As I explained, the treaty exceptions Mr. Wonder is 
>working for would essentially allow bookshare.org to go 
>international.  That would be a very good thing.
>
>I believe that the NFB is in favor of that too. So is bookshare, and 
>yes, so is the ACB.
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 11:11 AM
>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie 
>Wonderto UN: Ease Copyrights for theBlind
>
>
>>Cannot except the truth?
>>
>>Believe what you want.
>>
>>
>>Gloria Whipple
>>Corrisponding secretary
>>Inland Empire chapter
>>nfb of WA
>>
>>cell number: 509-475-4993
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>Behalf Of John Heim
>>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 8:19 AM
>>To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l] Stevie Wonderto
>>UN: Ease Copyrights for theBlind
>>
>>Rubbish is a bit strong, don't you think?
>>
>>PS: I saw another article on the same issue and "in the dark" is a direct
>>quote. Apparently, Stevie Wonder used that term. But again, while it might
>>not be the best choice of terms, its not a key point. Lets not throw the
>>baby out with the bath water. Mr. Wonder is going a good thing here. If you
>>have ever wondered why more promenent  blindpeople don't get involved in
>>blid issues, you may have the reason right here.
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:01 AM
>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l] Stevie Wonderto
>>UN: Ease Copyrights for theBlind
>>
>>
>>>That is why I deleted it.
>>>
>>>What rubbish!
>>>
>>>
>>>Gloria Whipple
>>>Corrisponding secretary
>>>Inland Empire chapter
>>>nfb of WA
>>>
>>>cell number: 509-475-4993
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Ray Foret Jr
>>>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 7:48 AM
>>>To: Sherri
>>>Cc: vrstream at vrstreamusers.org; NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l] Stevie Wonder
>>>to
>>>UN: Ease Copyrights for theBlind
>>>
>>>I have a problem with his phrase, "live in the dark.  What a picture of
>>>blindness.  Yes, we need access to books; but, at this price?  What can
>>>one
>>>expect from folks who think there's no day or night for the blind?  I must
>>>protest!!!
>>>
>>>
>>>Sincerely,
>>>The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>>A Very Proud and Happy Mac User!!!
>>>
>>>E-Mail:
>>>rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>>Skype Name:
>>>barefootedray
>>>
>>>On Sep 21, 2010, at 9:15 AM, Sherri wrote:
>>>
>>>Passing this along. Thought this was interesting!
>>>
>>>Sherri
>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Edwards, Paul" <pedwards at mdc.edu>
>>>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 9:48 AM
>>>Subject: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l] Stevie Wonder to UN: Ease Copyrights for
>>>theBlind
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>From: acb-l-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-l-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of
>>>John Heim
>>>>Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 9:46 AM
>>>>To: acb-l at acb.org
>>>>Subject: [acb-l] Stevie Wonder to UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>>>>
>>>>Relevant to our recent discussion about people who have "made it".
>>>>--- Stevie Wonder to UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>>>>GENEVA (AP) -- Stevie Wonder pressed global copyright overseers on Monday
>>>to
>>>>help blind and visually impaired people access millions of science,
>>>history
>>>>and other audiobooks, which they cannot read in electronic form.
>>>>The blind singer told the U.N.'s 184-nation World Intellectual Property
>>>>Organization that more than 300 million people who ''live in the dark''
>>>want
>>>>to ''read their way into light,'' and the current copyright system denies
>>>>them an equal opportunity.
>>>>
>>>>The current legal framework means that institutes for the blind in
>>>different
>>>>countries may be required to make multiple audiobook versions of the same
>>>>work, said Richard Owens, WIPO's director of copyright and electronic
>>>>commerce.
>>>>
>>>>Owens said this leads to higher costs that are passed on to the
>>>>listeners.
>>>>It also limits access to blind and partially blind people in poor
>>>countries,
>>>>which cannot afford to make their own versions of everything from science
>>>>textbooks to best-sellers, he said.
>>>>
>>>>The U.N. agency has been trying for six years to revamp its global
>>>copyright
>>>>framework so that it better accounts for new media, such as audiobooks.
>>>For
>>>>the blind and visually impaired, the goal is to create a clearinghouse so
>>>>that published material can be traded around the world and translated
>>>>into
>>>>new, readable formats.
>>>>
>>>>But the problem of access for such copyrighted material goes to the heart
>>>of
>>>>a growing crisis in the world of copyright protection, as the Internet
>>>>increasingly muddies laws that were created for traditional media.
>>>>Whereas
>>>>wide exceptions exist for books in Braille, WIPO officials say there is
>>>>confusion over how these benefits can be translated into the digital age.
>>>>
>>>>Proponents of a new agreement say the same benefits that digital books
>>>>provide most consumers -- lower costs and better storage and
>>>>accessibility -- should be extended to those with disabilities. The
>>>>United
>>>>States and European nations that export large amounts of published
>>>material
>>>>are somewhat hesitant because of concerns over an erosion of intellectual
>>>>property rights, and want to avoid a binding treaty.
>>>>
>>>>Wonder called for a compromise and teased the diplomats.
>>>>
>>>>''Please work it out. Or I'll have to write a song about what you didn't
>>>>do,'' said the 60-year-old singer known for such hits as ''Superstition''
>>>>and ''I Just Called to Say I Love You.''
>>>>
>>>>Complicating the talks are the demands of African countries, which are
>>>>seeking even larger copyright loopholes. They want their libraries and
>>>>academic institutions to be able to skip licensing agreements so that
>>>>they
>>>>can provide audiobook access for larger communities.
>>>>
>>>>Wonder, who has sold tens of million of albums, said any agreement should
>>>>respect the authors ''who labor to create the great works that enlighten
>>>and
>>>>nourish our minds, hearts and souls.'' He insisted on a practical
>>>>solution
>>>>so that blind and visually impaired people get ''the tools to think their
>>>>way out of poverty.''

                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
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