The Republic of Armenia acceded to the Marrakesh Treaty for persons with print disabilities in 2022. Although the Armenian Law on Copyright and Related Rights (2006) has not been amended to domesticate the Treaty, libraries in Armenia can nonetheless make and supply accessible format copies to people with print disabilities (including across borders) without having to ask permission from rightsholders. This is because under the Armenian Constitution, international treaties ratified by the Republic have direct effect, meaning that the treaty automatically becomes law without the need for implementing legislation.  

In this EIFL information sheet, we discuss the legal doctrine of direct effect, and its application in the Republic of Armenia.