Cabinet OKs Copyright Act amendments

Cabinet has given approval for amendments to the Copyright Act to allow for exemptions to access to copyright works by persons with visual or hearing disabilities.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz, said the amendments would also allow for a voluntary deposit system for copyright works to be hosted by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office.

In addition, the act will be amended to change the duration of copyright for works created by the Crown and corporate bodies, and the making of provisions for access to 'orphan works'.

The amended act will also clarify the rights in adapted works and extend the rights of libraries and archivists to archive materials that are in digital format.

According to Vaz, the amendment will also allow for the protection of first importers of sound recordings in Jamaica by ensuring them the first right of distribution.