[nfbwatlk] FW: [Nfbnet-master-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Court Ruling on Access to Books

[Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)]

And yet, we are making cuts to our vital programs at the National Center, because we have to. Funds are scarce, and we're suffering.

Sure wish we had the fund raising power of the Presidential candidates.  (grin.)

From: Nfbnet-master-list [mailto:nfbnet-master-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 11:38 AM
To: nfbnet-master-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-master-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Court Ruling on Access to Books


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>
National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Court Ruling
Decision Will Revolutionize Blind People's Access to Books

Baltimore, Maryland (October 11, 2012): The National Federation of the Blind<http://www.nfb.org> (NFB) today applauded a decision issued on October 10, 2012, by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which permits the distribution of millions of books to blind and print-disabled people.  The ruling in Authors Guild, Inc., et al., v. HathiTrust, et al. (Case number: No. 11-cv-6351-HB) held that providing access for students with print disabilities constitutes a "transformative use" under the fair use provision of the Copyright Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and that Section 121 of the Copyright Act (the "Chafee Amendment") permits university libraries to digitize their collections for distribution and use by the blind.  As a result, the University of Michigan will now be permitted to make its entire 10 million volume digital collection available to all blind Americans, revolutionizing access to digital books by the blind and print disabled.

The ruling is part of the court's decision to grant the NFB's and HathiTrust's motions for summary judgment in a lawsuit brought by the Authors Guild against the HathiTrust, a repository of several university library collections scanned by Google, and participating universities.  The Authors Guild alleged the HathiTrust and universities violated the Copyright Act by engaging in mass digitization of their collections.  Because these works represent the largest collection of works accessible to the blind and print disabled, the NFB intervened in the lawsuit.

Dr. Marc Maurer<http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio>, President of the National Federation of the Blind<http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind>, said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the greatest challenges faced by the blind.  The landmark decision by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will revolutionize access to books for the blind.  For the first time ever, blind students and scholars will have the opportunity to participate equally in library research.  The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of education and information at their fingertips.  The National Federation of the Blind commends the court's decision, which constitutes a significant step toward full and equal access to information by the blind."


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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.





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