Περιεχόμενο παραγόμενο από χρήστες και ζητήματα πνευματικής ιδιοκτησίας
User-generated content and copyright issues

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Abstract
User Generated Content (UGC) is maybe the biggest challenge since the advent of the Internet. This is the most significant innovation in traditional Intellectual Property Law, as it concerns content that is generated and driven by individuals who are not affiliated with a brand or company. Today, this model acts as a key factor in the global evolution of the modern, participatory web, significantly influencing aspects of copyright. This is because UGC, due to its complex and transformative nature, opposes the protection of author’s exclusive right – in which Intellectual Property copyright law mainly focuses - thus raising legal issues and intensities in the existing legislation. The purpose of this thesis is to search and approach possible ways to find the "breathing" space for the specific exception for transformative use of UGC in EU Intellectual Property legislation. Commenting extensively the European and international legal approaches to the transformative use of UGC, conclusions are drawn on the nature of Intellectual Property protection in a UGC environment, the effectiveness of existing arrangements, and future perspectives and solutions to this issue.