EU politicians finalise new copyright rules that could transform the internet

The new regime has been accused of forcing companies to "ban memes" as it transforms the way people are able to share information online. Companies such as Google have intensely criticised the rules – with YouTube suggesting it could even have to ban Europeans from uplodaing videos entirely. Now the final wording has been agreed by the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the Commission, meaning that the regulations are soon likely to be passed. Among the changes would be new licencing rules making online platforms responsible for content uploaded. According to lead critic, German MEP Julia Reda, this would mean commercial sites and apps will have to preemptively buy licences for anything a user uploads, a move she describes as "an impossible feat".