European Accessibility Act (EAA): a chance for publishers
With the 2025 deadline for the implementation of the European Accessibility Act approaching fast, experts from across publishing gathered at the virtual Frankfurt Book Fair under the subtitle All you need to know from international accessibility experts to present how the sector can get ready and fully seize the opportunity the Act presents for all readers.
Intellectual Property and international cooperation: Past, present, future
On Monday 20 July, watch the second part of a fascinating discussion between IPA President, Hugo Setzer, and Francis Gurry, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation where they will discuss the future of multi-lateralism and copyright.
Hachette Becomes 100th Signatory of Accessible Books Charter
On 26 September WIPO’s Accessible Books Consortium welcomed Hachette Livre as the 100th Signatory to the ABC Charter for Accessible Publishing marking an important milestone for the Consortium working to increase the number of books in accessible formats for use by hundreds of millions of people around the globe who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.
Marrakesh 50th Signatory announced
The United States of America became the 50thCountry to sign up to the Marrakesh Treaty on 8 February.
Accessibility roundup: ABC Global Book Service going from strength to strength
Alongside announcing great progress for the ABC Global Book Service with 42,000 additions to the catalogue, IPA VP-elect Bodour Al Qasimi signed an agreement with WIPO for accessibility training in the UAE and IPA President-elect, Hugo Setzer, stars in a short film explaining his support for accessible publishing.
Europe aligns VAT between eBooks and physical books; ratifies Marrakesh
The International Publishers Association welcomes the news that the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council has unanimously agreed to allow Member States to apply reduced VAT rates to eBooks, bringing them into alignment with physical books, which in most cases carried a lower rate.
Publishers at WIPO seminars at Lima Book Fair and in Kuala Lumpur
Over the summer WIPO held seminars in Peru and Malysia. IPA helped ensure publishers were present to discuss ‘Managing Copyright in the Publishing Industry in the Digital Age’ and the ‘Marrakesh Treaty’.