Rules 76 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 76 to 78 make up Chapter XV. They apply to an organisation working for the benefit of persons with disabilities that adapts, reproduces, issues copies of or communicates any work in an accessible format under the exception in section 52(1)(zb). The rules require a register, notices printed in the copies, and written contracts with any third party the organisation engages.
An organisation that adapts, reproduces, issues copies of or communicates a work in an accessible format must keep a register at its principal place of business (rule 76), insert three notices in the accessible copies (rule 77), and, if it engages a third party as agent, enter into appropriate contracts so that the agent acts only on the organisation's behalf (rule 78). "Accessible format" includes Braille, Daisy, large print, talking books and digital formats.
Which section the rules serve
Rules 76 to 78 serve section 52(1)(zb) of the Act, the exception for accessible formats, which rule 77(a) and rule 78 name. See our guide on exceptions to infringement under section 52. These rules are separate from the compulsory licence for persons with disability under section 31B and rules 17 to 22: that route needs a licence, while this chapter assumes the organisation is acting under the exception. If your organisation produces accessible copies and you want its records and notices checked, a legal consultation can help.
Rule 76: the register
An organisation "working for the benefit of the persons with disabilities and intending to adapt, reproduce, issue of copies or communication to public of any work in any accessible format shall maintain at its principal place of business a register containing the following details":
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| (a) | Name of the work, author or owner or publisher, with year of publication |
| (b) | Details of the accessible format in which the work is produced |
| (c) | Nature of the activity: adaptation, reproduction, issue of copies or communication to the public |
| (d) | Total number of copies made, and the list of persons with disabilities to whom copies have been distributed |
| (e) | Price, if any, charged on the copies |
Item (d) goes furthest: the organisation must keep a list of the persons with disabilities who received copies. That list is personal information, and the text gives no rule on its confidentiality or on who may inspect the register. Item (e) allows for a price ("if any"), so charging a price is not barred by the text.
The register is to be kept "at its principal place of business". The rule does not say how long records must be kept, or whether they may be electronic; compare rule 80(3) on technological measures, which sets a minimum of three years for its records.
Rule 77: notices in the copies
The organisation "shall insert appropriate notices in the copies of works in accessible formats created by the organisations that":
| Item | The notice says |
|---|---|
| (a) | The accessible format is created pursuant to the exception under clause (zb) of section 52(1) |
| (b) | The accessible format is intended solely for the use of persons with disabilities who cannot enjoy the normal format of the work |
| (c) | Any distribution of the accessible format to any person who can enjoy the normal format of the work will lead to stopping the supply of further works in accessible formats and such other legal consequences as are applicable |
Notice (c) is a warning aimed at recipients: copies passed to persons who can use the normal format risk the supply of further accessible works. "Such other legal consequences as are applicable" is left open, and the rule does not list them.
The Explanation: "accessible format"
"For the purposes of this Chapter, the term 'accessible format' shall include Braille, Daisy, large print, talking books, digital formats and all other formats that can be used by persons with disabilities."
The word "include" makes the list open. A format that is not named, such as an e-book with a screen-reader layer, falls within the chapter if persons with disabilities can use it. The text does not say who decides whether a format qualifies.
Rule 78: third parties
"An organisation working for persons with disabilities may engage any third party as its agent to undertake any of the activities permitted under clause (zb) of sub-section (1) of section 52, on its behalf and shall enter into appropriate contracts with such third party to ensure that such third party undertakes such activities only on behalf of the organisation and not otherwise."
| Point | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Who may be engaged | "any third party" as agent |
| What the agent may do | Any activity the exception permits, on the organisation's behalf |
| Safeguard | Appropriate contracts so the third party acts only on behalf of the organisation |
A printing press or an audio studio engaged to produce Braille or talking books is the natural example. The organisation, not the agent, remains the one claiming the exception, and the contract is what keeps the agent from using the copies for its own purposes. The text does not say what "appropriate" terms are, or whether the register in rule 76 must also record the agent's activity.
An example
Disha Trust, which supports visually impaired students, wants to convert a published Tamil textbook into large print and Braille. It keeps a register at its Chennai office with the book's name, author and publisher, year of publication, the formats, the activity (reproduction), the number of copies made, a list of the students who received copies, and any price charged. Each copy carries the three notices. Disha engages a Braille press as its agent under a written contract that allows the press to produce copies only for Disha. A school that is not a recipient asks for copies for students who read the normal print; under notice (c) that would risk the supply of further accessible works.
Who does what
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Keeps the register; prints the notices; engages agents under contract |
| Third-party agent | Undertakes activities only on behalf of the organisation |
| Persons with disabilities | Receive copies for their own use |
What the rules do not say
- No form for the register and no period for keeping it.
- No fee in the Second Schedule for these activities.
- No mention of the Board or the Registrar.
- No definition of "organisation working for the benefit of persons with disabilities".
- No consequence in these rules for breach, beyond the "legal consequences as are applicable".
Need help with accessible-format compliance?
An organisation that keeps its register, notices and agent contracts in order is much better placed if a question is raised. Our legal consultation team can review them against rules 76 to 78.
Key takeaways
- An organisation working for persons with disabilities keeps a register at its principal place of business with five categories of detail.
- Each accessible copy carries three notices: the section 52(1)(zb) basis, use only by persons with disabilities who cannot enjoy the normal format, and the consequence of wider distribution.
- "Accessible format" includes Braille, Daisy, large print, talking books and digital formats, and others usable by persons with disabilities.
- A third-party agent may be engaged under appropriate contracts so it acts only for the organisation.
- The text is as notified in 2013 with the 2016 amendment; check later amendments.
Read next
- Rule 79: importation of infringing copies, notice to Customs
- Rules 17–22: compulsory licence for the disabled
- Section 31B: compulsory licence for the benefit of the disabled
Disclaimer: Based on the Copyright Rules, 2013 as notified (with the 2016 amendment), read with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Later amendment rules, forms and fees should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.