Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

APRIL 24, 2018

As the prototypical technology social enterprise, Benetech became one of the first organizations using technology to solve social problems rather than seeking to make maximum financial returns. What if we could scan once, proofread the resulting scan, and share that ebook with tens of thousands of eager readers?

Mentoring 167

Mentoring Copyright Law Photography 167

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

That’s the lobbying position of some companies in the intellectual property field when implementing the new Marrakesh Copyright Treaty. Our experience successfully building Bookshare under the United States copyright exception, which has no such commercial availability limitation, informs this strong opinion.

Copyright 100

Copyright United States Library eBook 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

AUGUST 7, 2013

First, it makes creating a national domestic copyright exception an obligation of countries that ratify the Treaty. Second, the Treaty allows for easier import and export of accessible versions of books and other copyrighted works. Technological Protection Measures. How Does the Treaty Meet this Goal? Respect Privacy.

Copyright 158

Copyright Law United States Library 158

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Bookshare’s role was mixed: we didn’t end up attending many of these meetings and critiqued early efforts that were crippled by heavy-handed publisher influence, although we did propose at one point to supply technology to TIGAR based on Bookshare. So, in the meanwhile, we will need to rely on licenses: permissions agreements.

Accessibility 247

Accessibility License Copyright Library 247

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 7, 2013

These ebooks can quickly be turned into Braille, large print or be read aloud by a synthetic voice synthesizer. We’re grateful to our socially responsible publishing partners who give us world rights to their titles, even though they are not required to do so under international copyright law.

India 225

India Literacy United Kingdom United States 225

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 23, 2014

How can we use technology in a new way to improve people’s lives that is an order of magnitude better? Can we help stimulate the creation of far more technology-for-good ventures? Technology currently serves privileged groups through tools that provide access to education, literacy, health, and justice.

Literacy 158

Literacy eBook United Kingdom Accessibility 158

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 15, 2009

The digital measures designed to defeat piracy usually end up equating accessibility with piracy. Accessibility of digital media has been repeatedly and systematically denied because of digital measures to “protect” content. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is being negotiated in secret.

Accessibility 100

Accessibility Adobe Copyright eBook 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

However, the time has come when we need a really smart attorney to join Benetech and help us navigate the intersection of technology and social good. We’re operating at the forefront of copyright limitations and exceptions, both in the United States and globally. when we bring them to developing world countries.

United States 134

United States Library Copyright License 134

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

We take their files and convert them to the DAISY format which is a digital format designed specifically to create accessible materials for people with print disabilities. Check out this O'Reilly's announcement tat their ebook bundles now include DAISY talking book format files to see the fabulous work they're doing.

Accessibility 133

Accessibility Marketing eBook Files 133

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 2, 2012

Bookshare, Benetech’s pioneering digital library for people with print disabilities, celebrated its 10th birthday last night with a terrific party that was attended by many of our long-time friends and supporters. copyright law. They send Bookshare the same digital book files that they provide to Amazon, Apple or Barnes and Noble.

Celebrate 145

Celebrate Google Literacy Library 145

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

The latest session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) just concluded last week. But, we don’t think people with print disabilities should be denied access to library services just because the book is for sale.

eBook 193

eBook Library Alternative Authoring 193

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Digital and mobile communications are changing the rules about social networks, intellectual property, and the availability of big data, with an overall blurring of the boundaries between state, for-profits, and nonprofits. In my contribution to Ron’s book, I discuss the framework that guides us at Benetech, the technology nonprofit I lead.

Develop 144

Develop Social Library eBook 144

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Accessible ebooks and Bookshare have helped sixth grader Kevin Leong overcome his reading challenges. The good news is that major changes in technology are reforming education. The Bookshare library is made possible by a copyright exception: Section 121 of the United States Copyright Act, also known as the Chafee Amendment.

eBook 203

eBook Accessibility United States Student 203

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 10, 2009

But, it's a dream that the commercial ebook vendors keep dashing. We have an action by Amazon that sets back years of work to make ebooks accessible. The Digital Millenium Copyright Act ("DMCA") workaround. I also have a Kindle1, and have bought a bunch of Kindle ebooks. The Textbook problem.

Amazon 100

Amazon Accessibility eBook Problem 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 5, 2016

The common link among our projects is information technology, which can be applied to just about every aspect of the social sector. Yet, nonprofits frequently lag behind the for-profit world in applying technology to their work. Benetech has a unique opportunity to repeatedly use technology as a social change agent.

Change 100

Change eBook United States Conservancy 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 13, 2011

Bookshare Hits 100,000 Members Boy reading at a computer with teacher in the background.Since the beginning of 2009, we’ve tripled the number of people with disabilities Bookshare is serving with our accessible library of ebooks. If we’re going to speak truth to power, then we need to make sure that we are speaking truth.

Conservancy 140

Conservancy Norway Congo Sweden 140