Leaders hint Poland will not fully apply EU copyright law

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's right-wing leaders have hinted they will not implement fully the European Union's copyright reform, saying it stifles freedom of speech.

Ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Saturday that a copyright directive adopted by EU lawmakers this week, to be implemented by the 28 member nations, threatens freedom.

Proponents say it ensures that authors and artists are paid; the Polish government says the rules will ban the linking of information and memes.

Without specifying, Kaczynski said the Law and Justice party will implement it "in a way that will preserve freedom."

His words at the euroskeptic party's campaign convention ahead of the European Parliament elections in May were apparently aimed at attracting young voters, and countering claims that the party's policies are curbing free speech and ideas.