The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered his opinion on using upload filters by online platforms, such as Facebook or Youtube to protect copyright.

​Copyright Guidance introduced a controversial new regime without proper safeguards. It is highly problematic. Here is why.

Digital and civil rights groups have sent a letter to the European Commissioner for Internal Market warning that draft guidance on Article 17 of the Copyright Directive could lead to limits on free speech and the right to receive information.

The Commission promised to release the draft guidelines by end of March. Four months later, the guidelines are still to be published. On the other hand, EU member states have already started the harmonization processes of the Copyright Directive.

Liberties has submitted its opinion on the basic safeguards and principles for the implementation of the Copyright Directive to ensure free speech and privacy for users.

The European Commission has consented to Liberties’ request for greater transparency and agreed to share the draft guidelines on the implementation of the Copyright Directive with members of the stakeholder dialogue.

Don’t you like having the freedom to see and share what you want online? That should be your decision, right? Or not.

The European Commission should be fully transparent as it creates guidelines for implementing the new Copyright Directive, which should include safeguards for fundamental rights.

​The European Commission organized Stakeholder dialogues to discuss best practices for cooperation between online platforms and copyright holders. Liberties was invited to present on the human rights angle.

A paper by copyright experts urges decision-makers to implement safeguards to ensure that the enforcement of the EU Copyright Directive doesn’t unduly restrict users.