Social networks, social media and the authors rights law of the EU

The research at hand has the purpose to expose how the legislation established by the European Parliament regarding the digital single market introduced changes on EU to facilitate the online use of works created by others in social networks, social media and other internet pages and platforms seen as relevant. We propose to approach some social activities like creating and sharing memes, fan-made art and how the legislation of the EU sees them. For that, it was made an extensive study of legal documents regarding the author’s rights and related rights from EU countries, that has been conducted since 2014. The focus of this study has been mainly on images, videos and texts especially as derivative works. The gathered information is updated each year, being considered a theoretical and a normative study, with a conceptual review of the legal use of works created by others in different social realities. The benefits of these updates will be exposed along with what still needs to be done. It was concluded that the banalization of certain actions by the majority of users can lead to the change of legislation for a more fair and adequate way for creators and users.