Hyperlinks to Illegal Content and Balancing Copyright Law and the Freedom of Expression

Abstract: During the recent years the Digital World has grown rapidly with the changing technology reality. The Digital World has been a great development for the World’s society for individuals to connect with each other both on a business level and on a private level. New technologies have been created in order to access Internet all over the World which have created new job opportunities for people around the globe. There are many advantages with the development of the Digital World which will continue to flourish with the ongoing development of the Internet. However, as the Digital World increase everyday with new developed technology the European Framework of Copyright Law face difficulties to adapt to the new changes. This thesis will therefore focus on the communication to the public in relation to hyperlinks in the Digital World which have created problems for legislators around Europe to rule on different matters. This problem also influences the human right to express oneself and to receive information in the Digital World. Thus, the purpose is to find better ways for the European Framework to adapt to the increasing Digital World in relation to hyperlinks as well as balancing copyright law and the freedom of expression and the right to receive information.