The Copyright Directive: Misinformation and Independent Enquiry Statement from European Academics to Members of the European Parliament in advance of the Plenary Vote on the Copyright Directive on 5 July 2018

This academic statement was released in anticipation of the plenary vote in the European Parliament on the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive, scheduled for 5 July, 12:00.

This latest statement attempted to address directly some of the misinformation circulating in a heavily lobbied environment. The statement rejected the following four claims as false:

False: The proposals will increase legal certainty

False: The Internet will not be filteredFalse: There is no problem relating to freedom of expression

False: Memes will not be affected

The statement also assessed the following claims as misleading:

Misleading: Complaint and redress mechanisms will protect the interests of users

Misleading: Authors will receive an increased share of copyright remuneration