MATERIAL FOR DEAF PEOPLE AND COPYRIGHT LAW

Early day motion 1387, tabled 24 May 2002 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 18 members.

That this House is concerned that copyright law and practices obstruct the provision of subtitles for Welsh songs and lyrics on teletext page 888 for S4C; notes that Welsh songs are an important feature of cultural festivals such as the Eisteddfod, and that it is unfair that deaf viewers are denied access to this vital part of Welsh cultural life; believes that this situation is contrary to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; notes that obtaining copyright holders' agreement to the wording of English subtitles for Welsh songs is a substantial barrier to providing subtitles; further notes that copyright holders can require extra payment to allow subtitling to take place; states that this is contrary to the spirit and intention of the Broadcasting Act 1990 which put subtitles on a legal footing in order to allow deaf viewers full access to television; and calls on the Government to exempt broadcasting material for deaf people from copyright laws.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.