Well, I am not an expert on copyrights, and till now I had assumed that organizations are permited to create copies for the use of blind persons.
But as per the cowardly and oversubmissive point, following the law does not seem to me such, and working to make the changes is our right. Legal framework is a basis for all civil societies, and unfortunately it is becoming a fassion to denounce law. Another comparison, which may not be totally wrong. But before that let me state that Right to read is really important and providing books through organizations does not seem to me cowardly and oversubmissive. Around 30 percent of Indian population is below poverty line, their basic right to eat, proper life and dignity is vilated, would you all be ready to be robbed of some portion of your money for that purpose? I know you may say we are ready to give money for such cause, so are a few authors as well. But the point is to give away your money without your consent. And how much difference small contribution from you and me is goine to make for such a large problem? We have to respect others property rights when we talk about our own rights. In the meanwhile increasing the efforts to make it possible for blind persons to access material could help. -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Asudani, Rajesh Sent: 09 October 2009 03:59 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] distributing books So dinesh, You are essentially saying that: 1. We should do our book related transactions through organizations of and for blind like NAB which can provide e text and daisy books to legally disabled persons on request. 2. refrain from publicly ask for books or post their availability notifications in fora of blind/disabled like AI Bookbole as it would entail their destruction sooner or later, and may make a book available to a non-disabled person. Now, here, what even such organizations are doing is nothing but violation of copyrights, till the law is amended at least. Making a fundamental right an exclusively institutionalized and secretive act, in my opinion, is cowardly and oversubmissive. I truly appreciate bookbole for their courage and openness. World, according to me, operates on extremely surfacical grounds and superfluous way. Authors and publishers are not at all going to feel the need for making the materials accessible until they feel a pinch in their pockets by mass distributions of their copyrighted works amongst the disabled. Anyway piracy is not highly uncommon even for general masses, so heavens are not going to fall if a few deserving disabled benefit. Besides, my earlier argument about widening the reach of books to individuals who otherwise would never have got a chance to appreciate them, remains to be answered by anybody. Besides, there is no justification of copyright or non-availability about educational books in accessible format to all. UNCRPD talks of access to cultural material and IPR not being a barrier to it. So, what are books but manifestations of cultural conscious? Exclusively Institutionalizing a basic need and right for the fear that its open manifestation would entail legal proceedings does not appeal to me. There was a time when living of blind/disabled and their pursuits of activity in general community were regarded dangerous and taxing resources too much. So, they were institutionalized as individuals fit for living only in institutions. What is wrong in that? Now, it is felt that books etc. should be provided secretly to disabled by their institutions as we are here for profit earnings and if we concede to demands of few persons with disabilities it would be too expensive and why bother about inferior minorities? So let the business of publishing flourish unabated without being open to widen its prospects of catering to wider but different audience, and let the disabled crave for even the basic of their needs and rights by forming organizations who do the same illegal thing but secretly. Let us bring it out in the open and strongly demand that right to read is the part and parcel of freedom of speech and expression and its illegitimate denial constitutes gross violation of our fundamental rights. Adequate safeguards can be envisaged once the right is recognized and accessibility is taken into account. We have been cowards all these years, fearing even to distribute even educational and informational content. Tagore had said: "Let my country awaken into heaven, where every one holds their head high, Where knowledge is free.. And let me add: Accessible." Lending names may not lend credibility to any cause, but it is more than sufficient if one person, say, Rajesh Asudani, thinks in a particular way. I am not bound by dead past and great names. And, yes, I am not willing to tolerate any comparisons of blind community to blood-thirsty acts, the person concerned has not withdrawn it still. I am pained as a person who is blind and who is willing to openly advocate rights of persons with disabilities and who is willing to put up a fight with so called intellectuals who would not budge until their monetary interests are impinged upon. The fact that by sharing a book amongst disabled, it may be available to a non-disabled person, is a bi-product and side effect and a necessary evil, which can be prevented by recognizing our most fundamental freedom of expression. I am maddened when I see blind children simply at the mercy of readers or writers and groping for material to study. Any law is a pittance before a helpless human being who requires the rights to lead a meaningful life. Rajesh Asudani Assistant General Manager (PPS), Reserve Bank of India Nagpur 09420397185 O: 0712 2806676 Res: 0712 2591349 Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" John Milton ________________________________ Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. If you have received this email by error, please notify us by return e-mail or telephone and immediately and permanently delete the message and any attachments. The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. 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