On December 10, International Human Rights Day, twelve South African civil society groups called on the government to modernize its copyright law. The groups led a march from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Union Buildings and delivered a memorandum demanding the passage of copyright reform to protect vital rights.

The memorandum stresses that the groups have sought the following rights for ten years:

The right to make braille and accessible copies of copyrighted materials and to purchase braille materials internationally, in line with the Marrakesh Treaty and international human rights instruments

The right to access and share educational materials according to internationally recognised principles of fair use, which outlaw piracy and promote access

The right to be paid fair royalties for creative works, so that as writers, musicians, artists, filmmakers and performers we can share in the income generated by our labours and live as valued members of South African society.

The following civil society groups signed onto the memorandum:

  • Blind SA
  • South African Disability Alliance (SADA)
  • South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB)
  • South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU)
  • South African Braille Authority (SABA)
  • Right2Know Campaign (R2K)
  • ReCreate South Africa
  • Southern African Freelancers Association (SAFREA)
  • Concerned Musicians and Creators
  • South Africa Guild of Actors (SAGA)
  • Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)
  • Wikimedia South Africa

For more, read Linda Daniel’s story in the Daily Maverick, and watch the coverage from the SABC news network, below.