[nfb-talk] [Vrstream]Fw:[fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto UN: Ease Copyrights forthe Blind

Tue Sep 28 16:31:34 UTC 2010

that may very well be but as a blind person himself he should be much more 
enlightened. I realize that as a musician and song writer there is a 
tendency for a flare for the dramatic and this writing style and phraseology 
demonstrates the flare for the dramatic.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 7:24 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream]Fw:[fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto UN: 
Ease Copyrights forthe Blind


> "Living in the dark" is often used when discussing illiteracy.  I guess I 
> am
> getting soft in some of you folks views.  I don't have a problem with the
> statement as I read it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of John Heim
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 11:32 AM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw:[fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto 
> UN:
> Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>
> The best way to show people that you can stand up for your rights is to
> stand up for your rights. That's exactly what Stevie Wonder was doing.
>
> Intellectual property issues are a matter of competing rights. People have 
> a
>
> right to intellectual properties like books, medicines,  and technologies 
> if
>
> it can save their lives or their jobs. On the other hand, the creators of
> that intellectual property have a right to be compensated for their work.
> Copyright advocates tend to make the counter intuitive argument that by
> restricting access to knowledge, there will be more of it. Their reasoning
> is that unless those who develop the knowledge are fairly compensated, 
> they
> won't  bother to develop more knowledge. And, of course, there's a certain
> amount of truth to that.
>
> The trick is to find the proper balance between  the competing rights of
> intellectual property creators and those who need it. IMO, our society has
> drifted far toward favoring the rights of the creators of intellectual
> property. Governments in many countries have simply ignored patents on 
> AIDS
> drugs for example. What else can they do? They can't afford to pay the
> licensing fee and if they don't manufacture the drugs illegally, millions 
> of
>
> people will die. Even the drug companies have recognized that their 
> demands
> are impossible for some countries to meet and in most cases, they waive 
> the
> licensing fee after the fact.
>
> Copyright exceptions for the blind came about in the United States when it
> became clear that publishers were not granting exceptions to NLS in a 
> timely
>
> manner. NLS would request permission to make a audio version of a book for
> distribution in their own specialized format. But often it would be years
> before they heard from the publisher. Sometimes they would never hear from
> the publisher. It was in response to this foot dragging by publishers that
> Congress passed the law that made bookshare.org possible. But, of course,
> that only addressed the problem for citizens of the United States.
>
> The World Blind Union has been working for copyright exceptions for the
> blind for over 25 years now. The current proposed treaty was drafted in
> conjunction with Knowledge Ecology, a group advocating for the rights of
> users of intellectual property.  Its a very well crafted document. Like 
> the
> US law that makes bookshare.org possible, the treaty would allow only
> non-profits to distribute material and only in a specialized format. Also,
> subscribers would have to prove that they had a reading disability. These
> are all the same rules that bookshare.org is subject to.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <Terry.Powers at nih.gov>
> To: "'qubit'" <lauraeaves at yahoo.com>; "'NFB Talk Mailing List'"
> <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 7:35 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw:[fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto 
> UN:
>
> Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>
>
>> Living in the dark can be taken at least two ways.  It can mean with no
>> sight, but it can also mean in suclusion.  We, the blind, get out and do
>> most anything, the same way a sighted person would, in our own way.  We 
>> do
>
>> not stay in the dark, we socialize. We do not want the world to think we
>> can not stand up for our rights.
>>
>> Terry Powers
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: qubit [mailto:lauraeaves at yahoo.com]
>> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 7:27 AM
>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto
>> UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>>
>> Isn't it true that the word "blind" has more than 1 meaning?  I see
>> nothing wrong with what Stevie Wonder said, as I think using the 
>> metaphore
>
>> of blindness as applied to the mind is apt.  You lose a lot when you try
>> to be too politically correct -- I don't want people to feel like they 
>> are
>
>> walking on egg shells when they are around me.  If they think blindness 
>> is
>
>> a good metaphore to use, let them use it, and if they ask what I think of
>> it I can judge then whether the word was misapplied.
>> I think no blind person thinks it's great to be blind -- at best, it is a
>> nuisance, and at worst it can carry negative connotations that can cause 
>> a
>
>> person to be limited in his life.  Even dealing with the "nuisance"
>> definition is a pain.    But everyone has challenges, if not blindness,
>> it's
>> something else.  One of my brothers never lets me go into a "pity party"
>> about blindness, since if I express how something is difficult, he is
>> quick to remind me that it's the same as for anyone -- meaning the same
>> level of uncertainty and stress applies to everyone, albeit in a 
>> different
>
>> way.
>>
>> Well, anyway, off that soapbox.
>> --le
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "BMW" <lynnwhite51 at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 7:27 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonderto
>> UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>>
>>
>> I didn't hear him say it and I just heard the presentation.  And, if he
>> did, I think it was a symbolism to show that people who are able to 
>> access
>
>> material are, in fact, living in the dark.
>>
>> Lots of truth to that.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 3:08 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Vrstream] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: [acb-l]Stevie Wonder 
>> to
>> UN: Ease Copyrights for the Blind
>>
>>
>>>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
>>> Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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