The new rules will provide the users with several safeguards when they upload and share content on user-uploaded platforms. They will make sure that all users, wherever they are in the European Union, can rely on exceptions to copyright which are particularly important for the freedom of expression.

The Directive will allow the users to use content freely for purposes of quotation, criticism, review, caricature, parody and pastiche. These exceptions are currently optional for Member States.

Under the new rules, Member States will have to implement those exceptions in their national legal systems. This will ensure a uniform protection of users’ rights and interests across the European Union. Concretely, users will be free to upload and share content online such as memes, GIFs and reviews without any fear of infringing copyright in any of the Member States.

Thanks to the new Directive, users will automatically be covered by licences concluded between rightholders and online platforms. As a consequence, they will be able to share and use online any content, such as songs and music videos, covered by these licences.

Furthermore, the new Copyright Directive will provide for a robust complaint and redress mechanism, which will allow users to contest the unjustified removal of their content from online platforms. Member States will also be required to set up alternative dispute resolution schemes, with specific safeguards to ensure a fast and efficient procedure. And this procedure will not affect users’ rights to go to national courts to assert their rights, as explicitly laid down by the new rules.

Finally, the Directive recalls that Member States shall not impose a general monitoring obligation on platforms and that they will have to implement the new rules in full compliance with European data protection legislation.

So, the new copyright rules will not limit the users' rights or creativity. To the contrary: they will contribute to stimulate diverse and creative content by giving more legal certainty to users and by increasing the remuneration of creators and of those investing in creative content.