RPwD Act | Intellepedia

Captcha Blocks, Accessibility Knocks: Will CGPDTM Open the Door?

Featured image showing that CAPTCHA on the CGPDTM Trade Marks portal blocks blind users from accessing online IP services, raising the question of digital accessibility.

In the case of Masoom Reza v. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, the dispute centred on whether the IP Office Trade Marks filing and search systems could be used in a meaningful way by a person with disability. The complaint challenged inaccessible CAPTCHA features, the lack of effective alternatives, and the resulting denial of equal access to essential online services. The court examined the statutory duties governing digital accessibility and issued detailed corrective directions. This order follows the Karnataka High Court judgement in Dr Kalyan C. Kankanala v. Union of India, where the Office of the CGPDTM filed an affidavit stating that it had issued accessibility and reasonable accommodation guidelines and would make its websites accessible to persons with disabilities.

When Copyright, AI, and Regulation Interact: Where Does Accessibility Stand?

A friendly blue robot holding a glowing light bulb stands beside the text “When Copyright, AI, and Regulation Interact” written in a bold, stencil-style font on a black background.

In the short time that AI applications and technologies were fully functional, accessibility took a huge step forward by enabling persons with disabilities to create accessible format works. But this seems to be regressing, and unless appropriate steps are taken, the advantage of AI to persons with disabilities may once again be limited to a small percentage of the content being created… Even though the law permits conversion into accessible formats, the tools available to users may no longer support it. This can lead to a situation where a legal right cannot be fully exercised because the available technology, though capable, may no longer facilitate accessible content creation.

Accessibility is Mandatory for Businesses says CCPD

The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has clarified that accessibility requirements under the RPwD Act apply to private businesses. Private establishments must ensure their services, especially information and communication technology products, meet prescribed accessibility standards to remain compliant.

Accessibility of Intermediary Services to Persons with Disabilities – Proposed Amendments to IT Rules

The post analyses proposed IT Rules amendments to address accessibility challenges faced by persons with disabilities. It recommends mandatory provisions to ensure digital platforms comply with Indian disability laws and policies.

Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities – Comments and Suggestions

This article reviews the Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, offering structured comments and recommendations for its improvement. It covers aspects such as housing, professional opportunities, higher education, entrepreneurship, and private sector responsibilities, with an emphasis on accessibility and non-discrimination.

Patent Agent Exam 2022 Announced

The Patent Agent Exam 2022, organised by the Office of CGPDTM, is scheduled for May 2022. Applications are open to eligible science and engineering graduates, with accommodations available for persons with disabilities.

Indian IP Office and Website Accessibility for Persons with Blindness – Order of CCPD

This post examines the Indian IP Office’s website accessibility for persons with blindness in light of the RPwD Act and CCPD’s order. It details the legal obligations, actions taken, and the importance of compliance with accessibility standards.