Memes Are Illegal In The EU, And Mozilla Wants You To Help Change That

The non-profit software company launched a petition to change outdated copyright laws in Europe.

You probably know Mozilla as the creator of Firefox, everyone's favorite alternative to Safari and Internet Explorer. (Okay, maybe second favorite, behind Google Chrome.)

Wikipedia / Via upload.wikimedia.org

But not only does the company build better-than-average web browsers, they are also a non-profit software developer that fights to maintain an open and collaborative Internet.

On their website, Mozilla states that their mission is "to ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all." They also have a public manifesto outlining their values and principles.

Via flickr.com

On Thursday, Mozilla created a petition pointing out some troubling details in the European Union's copyright laws, asking people to sign it and help promote policy reform.

Mozilla @mozilla

Know what’s changed? Technology. Know what hasn’t? EU copyright law. Let’s fix that: https://t.co/cxPzjhDH2I

10:03 AM - 25 Aug 2016

Via Twitter: @mozilla

One of those details? Creating a meme, a major staple of modern Internet culture, is illegal in certain parts of the EU.

Via vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net

Yeah, I'm serious. Fair use, which permits limited use of copyrighted material if it serves a creative purpose, is an important part of American media law. It allows us to meme to our heart's content and reference bits of published material in our own creative work. There is no EU-wide fair use exception, however, so reusing images for meme purposes is unlawful.

Perhaps more absurd, Mozilla also points out that it is illegal to share a photo of the Eiffel Tower light display at night.

Wikipedia / Via upload.wikimedia.org

I don't live in Europe, so, yeah, I went ahead and did it.

Additionally, it is unlawful to screen films or share certain teaching materials in a classroom setting.

Via pinterest.com

What's the function of not allowing kids to watch movies in the classroom? It's not exactly clear.

In the petition, Mozilla points out that the copyright laws in question were established 15 years ago, before smartphones were household objects and well before modern Internet culture had developed.

Via upload.wikimedia.org

You know what else happened in 2001? Creed released an album in 2001. Do we really want our Internet use governed by laws developed while Creed was still around? Fucking CREED?

Mozilla also states that "the principle of innovation without permission" is what makes the Internet so great.

Via picserver.org

They reiterate that this exact principle is in danger, thanks to the archaic copyright laws and a number of other restrictions. "Some people are calling for licensing fees and restrictions on Internet companies for basic things like creating hyperlinks or uploading content," the petition says.

That's why Mozilla needs you to sign their petition, which you can do here. Or, if you don't care about Europe's outdated copyright laws and want to help change Mozilla's logo instead, you can do that here.