(1) The reproduction right forming part of copyright is defined so as to cover "direct or indirect, temporary or permanent reproduction by any means and in any form" of a substantial number of works. This definition of copyright therefore clearly covers the making of temporary copies during the operation of a computer. The directive gives a safeguard for service providers telecommunications operators and some others for particular acts of reproduction which can be regarded as technical copies.

(2) Member states must give authors the right to control communication to the public of the originals of their works or copies thereof by wire or wireless means, with similar rights being given with respect to performers, phonogram producers, producers of the first fixation of films and broadcasting organizations.

(3) Member states are required to provide for a distribution right with respect to copyright works. This right is subject to exhaustion within the EU "where the first sale or other transfer of ownership in the Community of (the object in question) is made by the rightholder or with his consent".

(4) Member states are required to take the necessary steps to implement the WIPO Copyright Treaty to provide adequate legal protection against circumvention of any effective technological measures taken to protect copyright or similar rights and to prevent tampering with rights management information.