Impact of Intellectual Property Rights on Access to Education for the Visually Impaired and Print Disabled: A Legal Analysis of the Copyright Act and the Marrakesh Treaty in India
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Date
2025-06
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National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam
Abstract
Access to education is a fundamental right that empowers individuals and builds inclusive
societies. However, for visually impaired and print-disabled persons, this right is often restricted
by barriers in the availability of accessible learning materials. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR),
while crucial for encouraging creativity and protecting the interests of authors, can sometimes
unintentionally limit the dissemination of knowledge to these communities.
This study dives into the difficult problem of reconciling copyright protection with the need to
make educational resources more accessible to people who are visually impaired or otherwise
print-disabled in India. It provides a detailed legal assessment of the Copyright Act of 1957,
particularly in light of the considerable changes made by the 2012 amendment. The study also
examines the impact of the Marrakesh Treaty, which aims to improve access to published works
for people with print difficulties. The study aims to establish if India's current laws and
international obligations effectively promote accessibility—or if additional legal and policy
reforms are required.
This work is driven by the belief that education should be truly inclusive, and that the law must
evolve to uphold the rights and dignity of all learners. The findings and discussions presented
here seek not only to illuminate the existing legal landscape but also to contribute to the broader
conversation about justice, inclusivity, and human rights in education.’
Description
Dissertation submitted to National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam
in partial fulfilment for award of the degree of
MASTER OF LAWS/ONE YEAR LL.M. DEGREE PROGRAMME
Submitted by –
Tetiksha Shree
SF0224036
LL.M. & IIIrd Semester
2024-25
Supervised by -
Dr. Amol Deo Chavhan
Professor of Law