Limitation of Electronic File Use Agreement: Terms & Conditions
Downloading Digital Files from APH
The American Printing House for the Blind (“APH,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) lists digital materials available for purchase and download (or for free download) through the APH ecommerce system.
By downloading an electronic file from the APH ecommerce system, you agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions of use of the materials to which your account is provided access.
Download of your ordered files through the ecommerce is restricted to APH shopping account holders in the U.S. who are or serve people with blindness or other disabilities.
General Terms and Conditions
- All materials listed in Louis are subject to copyright. Please note that, except for permitted uses noted below, digital files may not be copied, distributed, posted on a website, used to produce materials for sale in accessible formats, or otherwise distributed, even without monetary gain.
- While you may download, display, convert into accessible formats, and distribute the content solely for authorized uses, any other use including reproduction, modification, distribution, retransmission, republication, public display, performance, re-hosting, tampering with, framing, or deep linking of the files or their content is strictly prohibited and may be subject to criminal or civil penalties.
- We may use Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology or other copyright protection mechanisms to track violations of copyright law and our contractual agreements with you. These mechanisms may include watermarking and/or other identifying codes. You will not knowingly delete or tamper with such DRM technology, codes or other mechanisms.
Permitted Uses/Exclusions for Specific Content
- APH Braille Ready Files (Catalog numbers A-BXXXX-BF)
- APH braille-ready files (A-B numbers) are intended for the purpose of hard copy braille production for use by students or use directly by the student with accessible technology devices.
- The only legal and authorized use of these files is for the nonprofit reproduction or distribution of “accessible formats” (as defined in title 17 U.S. Code Section 121) for use by “eligible persons.”
- Customers and users are responsible for ensuring the appropriate distribution of these files only to accessible formats producing entities for creation of accessible educational materials for “eligible persons” in the U.S. for educational use.
- The copyright for these files is the sole property of the original owner. The copyright notice must be output as it appears in the file. This notice is required for usage of either the complete file or partial file.
- Under the copyright law and the BANA Braille Formats guidelines, it is required to include the following statement in the accessible format: Any further reproduction or distribution in a format other than an accessible format is an infringement.
- Publisher and BrailleBlaster Files (Catalog numbers beginning D- or B-B)
- Text files provided by publishers and APH’s BrailleBlaster transcription-ready files (.bbx) are intended to be used as the starting point for creating a complete braille textbook. It is permitted to use these files to produce and distribute embossed braille for these materials.
- It is prohibited, however, to further reproduce and sell APH’s completed products that have been transcribed and are being distributed by APH (e.g., A-B catalog numbers).
- The copyright for these files is the sole property of the original owner. The copyright notice must be output as it appears in the file. This notice is required for usage of either the complete file or partial file.
- Under the copyright law and the BANA Braille Formats guidelines, it is required to include the following statement in the accessible format: Any further reproduction or distribution in a format other than an accessible format is an infringement.
- Braille Music Files (Catalog numbers beginning BRM-)
- Braille Music Files are intended for the purpose of hard copy braille production for use by “eligible persons” under copyright or use directly by “eligible persons” with accessible technology devices.
- The only legal and authorized use of these files is for the nonprofit reproduction or distribution of “accessible formats” (as defined in title 17 U.S. Code Section 121) for use by “eligible”
- Customers and users are responsible for ensuring the appropriate distribution of these files only to accessible formats producing entities for creation of accessible formats for “eligible persons” in the U.S. under copyright.
- The copyright for these files is the sole property of the original owner. The copyright notice must be output as it appears in the file. This notice is required for usage of either the complete file or partial file.
- Under the copyright law and the BANA Braille Formats guidelines, it is required to include the following statement in the accessible format: Any further reproduction or distribution in a format other than an accessible format is an infringement.
- Music braille files for materials that are in the public domain may be exempt from the copyright limitations enumerated above. (Please contact Resource Services at resource@aph.org if you have questions regarding a specific title.)
- Other APH Digital Products (all other catalog numbers)
- All other APH products originally developed by APH and made available for ordering through the APH ecommerce system are protected by copyright law.
- These materials, which are the property of APH, are not restricted for use only by “eligible persons” under copyright.
- However, they are subject to the General Terms and Conditions enumerated above.
As an APH customer or user, you agree not to share your login and password with others.
Your account(s) will be suspended if these Terms & Conditions or copyright holders’ rights are violated.
APH and the Publishers and copyright owners of the content shall not in any case be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort or any other legal theory, in connection with or arising out of the furnishing of, the performance of, or your use of the website services and the files provided hereunder.
For information about how APH protects your personal information, please review our Privacy Policy.
(Last updated 3/29/2022)
