In December 2009, European Directive 2009/136/EC (the Directive) entered into force. Website owners are now required to obtain informed consent for the use of cookies by their website before any cookies are planted on the user's computer hard drive. This means that website owners must now provide users with an upfront way to opt-in for cookies, and must ensure no cookies are used unless the user has provided their consent expressly or impliedly. The period for website compliance expires on 25 May 2012.