Human rights organization Section27, representing BlindSA, has filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court against President Cyril Ramaphosa for not signing the Copyright Amendment Bill.
BlindSA, works to protect the rights of visually impaired people in South Africa.
Two years ago, BlindSA challenged the constitutionality of the Copyright Act, arguing that it violated the rights of blind and visually impaired individuals. The court ruled in favor of BlindSA, ordering Parliament to amend the Act by September 21 this year.
The Act required blind or visually impaired individuals to get permission from copyright holders before converting books and other works into accessible formats. The court introduced an exception to copyright for these individuals, to be immediately applied as a temporary solution while Parliament worked on amending the law.
Section27 stated that Parliament has addressed the Act’s shortcomings through the Copyright Amendment Bill, which both Houses have approved and sent to the President for signing.
The statement added that the court-mandated deadline has passed, and the President has “failed in his duty to act promptly by signing the bill.”
BlindSA is now seeking a court order requiring the President to sign the bill within ten days, or alternatively, for the Copyright Act to include the previously court-ordered exception to copyright.