Internet memes as an element of free speech onlineDamjan, Matija (Avtor) memesparodypasticheupload filtersnon-commercial useInternet memes, a ubiquitous element of today’s online communication, are not just a form of entertainment. They convey ideas in a graphic form, relying on the participants’ shared cultural knowledge. Memes created by appropriating aspects of popular culture are derivative works based on copyright-protected materials. Despite being made with little regard for copyright rules, Internet users generally perceive memes as non-problematic. The Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market mandates content-sharing service providers to obtain licences for user-generated content or filter out any infringing content. This has sparked concerns that strict upload filters will erase popular memes with unsettled legal status, potentially reshaping the landscape of online communication. This chapter discusses which exceptions and limitations under the EU copyright law could ensure the legality of Internet memes and strike a balance between the interests of the rightholders and freedom of expression. It discusses caricature, parody and pastiche, as well as the compatibility of the available exceptions and limitations with content-recognition technologies. The distinction between commercial and non-commercial use is also considered.20262026-03-25 15:06:33Delo ni kategorizirano181118UDK: 347:004DOI: 10.4324/9781003466390-24COBISS_ID: 273023235OceCobissID: 273003779sl