2001: EU Directive on Copyright

The European Union passed this directivefor member states to harmonise copyrights and related rights in the information society. The directive adopts the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the Performances and Phonograms Treaty, which make it criminal to circumvent technological copy protections.

The scope of copyright is expanded to include new forms of reproduction, such as temporary reproduction. The directive states that strict intolerance for illegal distribution of counterfeited or pirated works must not be compromised by any European member states.