diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8341c236..18bfa5a2 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ ArduinoJson: change log
 HEAD
 ----
 
-* Add `JsonVariant::link()` (issue #1343)
+* Add `JsonVariant::shallowCopy()` (issue #1343)
 * Fix `9.22337e+18 is outside the range of representable values of type 'long'`
 * Fix comparison operators for `JsonArray`, `JsonArrayConst`, `JsonObject`, and `JsonObjectConst`
 * Remove undocumented `accept()` functions
diff --git a/extras/tests/Cpp11/nullptr.cpp b/extras/tests/Cpp11/nullptr.cpp
index ae0eb634..813b9cc2 100644
--- a/extras/tests/Cpp11/nullptr.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/Cpp11/nullptr.cpp
@@ -43,13 +43,5 @@ TEST_CASE("nullptr") {
 
     variant.clear();
     REQUIRE(variant.is<std::nullptr_t>() == true);
-
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-    REQUIRE(variant.is<std::nullptr_t>() == false);
-
-    doc2.clear();
-    REQUIRE(variant.is<std::nullptr_t>() == true);
   }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/ElementProxy.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/ElementProxy.cpp
index e54560c1..3596dadc 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/ElementProxy.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/ElementProxy.cpp
@@ -246,10 +246,10 @@ TEST_CASE("ElementProxy cast to JsonVariant") {
   CHECK(doc.as<std::string>() == "[\"toto\"]");
 }
 
-TEST_CASE("ElementProxy::link()") {
+TEST_CASE("ElementProxy::shallowCopy()") {
   StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc1, doc2;
-  doc1[0].link(doc2);
   doc2["hello"] = "world";
+  doc1[0].shallowCopy(doc2);
 
   CHECK(doc1.as<std::string>() == "[{\"hello\":\"world\"}]");
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/MemberProxy.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/MemberProxy.cpp
index a4de1257..b9e2b749 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/MemberProxy.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/MemberProxy.cpp
@@ -318,10 +318,10 @@ TEST_CASE("MemberProxy::createNestedObject(key)") {
   CHECK(doc["status"]["weather"]["temp"] == 42);
 }
 
-TEST_CASE("MemberProxy::link()") {
+TEST_CASE("MemberProxy::shallowCopy()") {
   StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc1, doc2;
-  doc1["obj"].link(doc2);
   doc2["hello"] = "world";
+  doc1["obj"].shallowCopy(doc2);
 
   CHECK(doc1.as<std::string>() == "{\"obj\":{\"hello\":\"world\"}}");
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/size.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/size.cpp
index 683cc733..4fbb6e23 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonDocument/size.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonDocument/size.cpp
@@ -25,21 +25,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonDocument::size()") {
 
     REQUIRE(doc.size() == 2);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.add(1);
-    doc2.add(2);
-    doc.as<JsonVariant>().link(doc2);
-
-    REQUIRE(doc.size() == 2);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    doc.as<JsonVariant>().link(doc2);
-
-    REQUIRE(doc.size() == 1);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/CMakeLists.txt b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/CMakeLists.txt
index 35cf3818..1a0d14a9 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ add_executable(JsonVariantTests
 	createNested.cpp
 	is.cpp
 	isnull.cpp
-	link.cpp
 	memoryUsage.cpp
 	misc.cpp
 	nesting.cpp
@@ -21,6 +20,7 @@ add_executable(JsonVariantTests
 	overflow.cpp
 	remove.cpp
 	set.cpp
+	shallowCopy.cpp
 	size.cpp
 	subscript.cpp
 	types.cpp
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/add.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/add.cpp
index fec99c5a..526e914d 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/add.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/add.cpp
@@ -43,14 +43,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::add()") {
 
     REQUIRE(var.as<std::string>() == "{\"val\":123}");
   }
-
-  SECTION("add to linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.add(42);
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var.add(666);  // no-op
-
-    CHECK(var.as<std::string>() == "[42]");
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/as.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/as.cpp
index 43c30185..c9956778 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/as.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/as.cpp
@@ -267,97 +267,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::as()") {
 
     REQUIRE(variant.as<MY_ENUM>() == ONE);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    SECTION("as<std::string>()") {
-      CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonArray>()") {
-      JsonArray a = variant.as<JsonArray>();
-      CHECK(a.isNull() == true);
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonObject>()") {
-      JsonObject o = variant.as<JsonObject>();
-      CHECK(o.isNull() == true);
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonObjectConst>()") {
-      JsonObjectConst o = variant.as<JsonObjectConst>();
-      CHECK(o.isNull() == false);
-      CHECK(o.size() == 1);
-      CHECK(o["hello"] == "world");
-    }
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.add("hello");
-    doc2.add("world");
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    SECTION("as<std::string>()") {
-      CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "[\"hello\",\"world\"]");
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonArray>()") {
-      JsonArray a = variant.as<JsonArray>();
-      CHECK(a.isNull() == true);
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonArrayConst>()") {
-      JsonArrayConst a = variant.as<JsonArrayConst>();
-      CHECK(a.isNull() == false);
-      CHECK(a.size() == 2);
-      CHECK(a[0] == "hello");
-      CHECK(a[1] == "world");
-    }
-
-    SECTION("as<JsonObject>()") {
-      JsonObject o = variant.as<JsonObject>();
-      CHECK(o.isNull() == true);
-    }
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked int") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.as<int>() == 42);
-    CHECK(variant.as<double>() == 42.0);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked double") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42.0);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.as<int>() == 42);
-    CHECK(variant.as<double>() == 42.0);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked string") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.set("hello");
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "hello");
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked bool") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    doc2.set(true);
-    CHECK(variant.as<bool>() == true);
-
-    doc2.set(false);
-    CHECK(variant.as<bool>() == false);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/clear.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/clear.cpp
index 173a7dea..2b40e324 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/clear.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/clear.cpp
@@ -23,15 +23,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::clear()") {
 
     REQUIRE(var.isNull() == true);
   }
-
-  SECTION("doesn't alter linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var.clear();
-
-    CHECK(var.isNull() == true);
-    CHECK(doc2.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/compare.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/compare.cpp
index c6211a55..63adbc26 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/compare.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/compare.cpp
@@ -34,20 +34,6 @@ TEST_CASE("Compare JsonVariant with value") {
     CHECK_FALSE(a < b);
     CHECK_FALSE(a > b);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked 42 vs 42") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    a.link(doc2);
-    int b = 42;
-
-    CHECK(a == b);
-    CHECK(a <= b);
-    CHECK(a >= b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a != b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a < b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a > b);
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("Compare JsonVariant with JsonVariant") {
@@ -327,19 +313,4 @@ TEST_CASE("Compare JsonVariant with JsonVariant") {
     CHECK_FALSE(a > b);
     CHECK_FALSE(a >= b);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked 42 vs link 42") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2, doc3;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    doc3.set(42);
-    a.link(doc2);
-    b.link(doc3);
-
-    CHECK(a == b);
-    CHECK(a <= b);
-    CHECK(a >= b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a != b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a < b);
-    CHECK_FALSE(a > b);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/containsKey.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/containsKey.cpp
index 739e33ec..fca684ee 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/containsKey.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/containsKey.cpp
@@ -25,15 +25,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::containsKey()") {
     REQUIRE(var.containsKey(std::string("hello")) == true);
     REQUIRE(var.containsKey(std::string("world")) == false);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(var.containsKey("hello") == true);
-    CHECK(var.containsKey("world") == false);
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariantConst::containsKey()") {
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/copy.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/copy.cpp
index b8f96297..7784f0ca 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/copy.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/copy.cpp
@@ -84,16 +84,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::set(JsonVariant)") {
     REQUIRE(doc2.memoryUsage() == JSON_STRING_SIZE(7));
   }
 
-  SECTION("stores linked object by pointer") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc3;
-    doc3["hello"] = "world";
-    var1.link(doc3);
-    var2.set(var1);
-
-    REQUIRE(doc1.memoryUsage() == 0);
-    REQUIRE(doc2.memoryUsage() == 0);
-  }
-
   SECTION("destination is unbound") {
     JsonVariant unboundVariant;
 
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/createNested.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/createNested.cpp
index 0636762e..efd75015 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/createNested.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/createNested.cpp
@@ -18,17 +18,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedObject()") {
     REQUIRE(variant[0]["value"] == 42);
     REQUIRE(obj.isNull() == false);
   }
-
-  SECTION("does nothing on linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2[0] = 42;
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    variant.createNestedObject();
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 1);
-    CHECK(variant[0] == 42);
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedArray()") {
@@ -41,17 +30,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedArray()") {
     REQUIRE(variant.is<JsonArray>() == true);
     REQUIRE(arr.isNull() == false);
   }
-
-  SECTION("does nothing on linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2[0] = 42;
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    variant.createNestedArray();
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 1);
-    CHECK(variant[0] == 42);
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedObject(key)") {
@@ -65,17 +43,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedObject(key)") {
     REQUIRE(variant.is<JsonObject>() == true);
     REQUIRE(variant["weather"]["temp"] == 42);
   }
-
-  SECTION("does nothing on linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    variant.createNestedObject("weather");
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 1);
-    CHECK(variant["hello"] == "world");
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedArray(key)") {
@@ -88,15 +55,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::createNestedArray(key)") {
     REQUIRE(variant.is<JsonObject>() == true);
     REQUIRE(arr.isNull() == false);
   }
-
-  SECTION("does nothing on linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    variant.createNestedArray("items");
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 1);
-    CHECK(variant["hello"] == "world");
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/is.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/is.cpp
index 0cc63e3d..6d04f0af 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/is.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/is.cpp
@@ -144,24 +144,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::is<T>()") {
     CHECK(variant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
   }
 
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2[0] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariant>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<int>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<float>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
-  }
-
   SECTION("JsonObject") {
     variant.to<JsonObject>();
 
@@ -179,44 +161,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::is<T>()") {
     CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariant>() == true);
     CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariant>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<int>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<float>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariant>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked int") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonVariant>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<int>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<float>() == true);
-    CHECK(variant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(variant.is<MYENUM2>() == true);
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariantConst::is<T>()") {
@@ -372,58 +316,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariantConst::is<T>()") {
     CHECK(cvariant.is<const char *>() == false);
     CHECK(cvariant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2[0] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariant>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<int>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<float>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariant>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<int>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<float>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<MYENUM2>() == false);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked int") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObjectConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariantConst>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonObject>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonVariant>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArray>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<JsonArrayConst>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<int>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<float>() == true);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<bool>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<const char *>() == false);
-    CHECK(cvariant.is<MYENUM2>() == true);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/isnull.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/isnull.cpp
index ec5e0a34..1ec6f353 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/isnull.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/isnull.cpp
@@ -70,16 +70,16 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::isNull()") {
     REQUIRE(variant.isNull() == true);
   }
 
-  SECTION("returns true for a linked null") {
+  SECTION("returns true for a shallow null copy") {
     StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    variant.link(doc2);
+    variant.shallowCopy(doc2);
     CHECK(variant.isNull() == true);
   }
 
-  SECTION("returns false for a linked array") {
+  SECTION("returns false for a shallow array copy") {
     StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
     doc2[0] = 42;
-    variant.link(doc2);
+    variant.shallowCopy(doc2);
     CHECK(variant.isNull() == false);
   }
 
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/memoryUsage.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/memoryUsage.cpp
index 5c18b906..59587dbb 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/memoryUsage.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/memoryUsage.cpp
@@ -38,12 +38,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::memoryUsage()") {
     REQUIRE(var.memoryUsage() == 6);
     REQUIRE(var.memoryUsage() == doc.memoryUsage());
   }
-
-  SECTION("ignore size of linked document") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-    CHECK(var.memoryUsage() == 0);
-    CHECK(var.memoryUsage() == doc.memoryUsage());
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/nesting.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/nesting.cpp
index e7602e51..3e936fbe 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/nesting.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/nesting.cpp
@@ -28,12 +28,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::nesting()") {
     var.to<JsonArray>();
     REQUIRE(var.nesting() == 1);
   }
-
-  SECTION("returns depth of linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2[0][0] = 42;
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(var.nesting() == 2);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/or.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/or.cpp
index 41bd2f79..7d1c190b 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/or.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/or.cpp
@@ -156,12 +156,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::operator|()") {
     int result = variant | 42;
     REQUIRE(result == 42);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked int | int") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2.set(42);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-    int result = variant | 666;
-    CHECK(result == 42);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/remove.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/remove.cpp
index adaa0761..c744e19b 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/remove.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/remove.cpp
@@ -39,24 +39,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::remove()") {
 
     REQUIRE(var.as<std::string>() == "{\"a\":1}");
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2[0] = 42;
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var.remove(0);
-
-    CHECK(var.as<std::string>() == "[42]");
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<128> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var.remove("hello");
-
-    CHECK(var.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/link.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/shallowCopy.cpp
similarity index 69%
rename from extras/tests/JsonVariant/link.cpp
rename to extras/tests/JsonVariant/shallowCopy.cpp
index 28ef2ecd..c7c334b7 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/link.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/shallowCopy.cpp
@@ -5,17 +5,16 @@
 #include <ArduinoJson.h>
 #include <catch.hpp>
 
-TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::link()") {
+TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::shallowCopy()") {
   StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc1, doc2;
   JsonVariant variant = doc1.to<JsonVariant>();
 
-  SECTION("JsonVariant::link(JsonDocument&)") {
+  SECTION("JsonVariant::shallowCopy(JsonDocument&)") {
     doc2["hello"] = "world";
 
-    variant.link(doc2);
+    variant.shallowCopy(doc2);
 
     CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-    CHECK(variant.memoryUsage() == 0);
 
     // altering the linked document should change the result
     doc2["hello"] = "WORLD!";
@@ -23,13 +22,12 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::link()") {
     CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"WORLD!\"}");
   }
 
-  SECTION("JsonVariant::link(MemberProxy)") {
+  SECTION("JsonVariant::shallowCopy(MemberProxy)") {
     doc2["obj"]["hello"] = "world";
 
-    variant.link(doc2["obj"]);
+    variant.shallowCopy(doc2["obj"]);
 
     CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-    CHECK(variant.memoryUsage() == 0);
 
     // altering the linked document should change the result
     doc2["obj"]["hello"] = "WORLD!";
@@ -37,13 +35,12 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::link()") {
     CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"WORLD!\"}");
   }
 
-  SECTION("JsonVariant::link(ElementProxy)") {
+  SECTION("JsonVariant::shallowCopy(ElementProxy)") {
     doc2[0]["hello"] = "world";
 
-    variant.link(doc2[0]);
+    variant.shallowCopy(doc2[0]);
 
     CHECK(variant.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-    CHECK(variant.memoryUsage() == 0);
 
     // altering the linked document should change the result
     doc2[0]["hello"] = "WORLD!";
@@ -55,7 +52,7 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::link()") {
     JsonVariant unbound;
     variant["hello"] = "world";
 
-    variant.link(unbound);
+    variant.shallowCopy(unbound);
 
     CHECK(variant.isUnbound() == false);
     CHECK(variant.isNull() == true);
@@ -67,11 +64,24 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::link()") {
     JsonVariant unbound;
     doc2["hello"] = "world";
 
-    unbound.link(doc2);
+    unbound.shallowCopy(doc2);
 
     CHECK(unbound.isUnbound() == true);
     CHECK(unbound.isNull() == true);
     CHECK(unbound.memoryUsage() == 0);
     CHECK(unbound.size() == 0);
   }
+
+  SECTION("preserves owned key bit") {
+    doc2.set(42);
+
+    doc1["a"].shallowCopy(doc2);
+    doc1[std::string("b")].shallowCopy(doc2);
+
+    JsonObject::iterator it = doc1.as<JsonObject>().begin();
+
+    CHECK(it->key().isLinked() == true);
+    ++it;
+    CHECK(it->key().isLinked() == false);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/size.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/size.cpp
index 9db3c538..73d9ced8 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/size.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/size.cpp
@@ -33,21 +33,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::size()") {
 
     CHECK(variant.size() == 2);
   }
-
-  SECTION("linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 1);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.add(1);
-    doc2.add(2);
-    variant.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(variant.size() == 2);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/subscript.cpp b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/subscript.cpp
index a1bba08c..f466cd27 100644
--- a/extras/tests/JsonVariant/subscript.cpp
+++ b/extras/tests/JsonVariant/subscript.cpp
@@ -129,44 +129,6 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariant::operator[]") {
     REQUIRE(std::string("world") == variant[vla]);
   }
 #endif
-
-  SECTION("get value from linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(var["hello"].as<std::string>() == "world");
-  }
-
-  SECTION("set value to linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var["tutu"] = "toto";  // no-op
-
-    CHECK(doc.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-    CHECK(doc2.as<std::string>() == "{\"hello\":\"world\"}");
-  }
-
-  SECTION("get value from linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.add(42);
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(var[0].as<int>() == 42);
-  }
-
-  SECTION("set value to linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.add(42);
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    var[0] = 666;  // no-op
-
-    CHECK(doc.as<std::string>() == "[42]");
-    CHECK(doc2.as<std::string>() == "[42]");
-  }
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("JsonVariantConst::operator[]") {
@@ -239,20 +201,4 @@ TEST_CASE("JsonVariantConst::operator[]") {
     REQUIRE(var.is<JsonObject>() == false);
     REQUIRE(value == 0);
   }
-
-  SECTION("get value from linked object") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2["hello"] = "world";
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(cvar["hello"].as<std::string>() == "world");
-  }
-
-  SECTION("get value from linked array") {
-    StaticJsonDocument<1024> doc2;
-    doc2.add(42);
-    var.link(doc2);
-
-    CHECK(cvar[0].as<int>() == 42);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ArrayRef.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ArrayRef.hpp
index fb396987..2a897406 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ArrayRef.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ArrayRef.hpp
@@ -202,12 +202,12 @@ struct Converter<ArrayConstRef> {
 
   static ArrayConstRef fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asArray() : 0;
+    return data ? data->asArray() : 0;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isArray();
+    return data && data->isArray();
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ElementProxy.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ElementProxy.hpp
index 588f3331..4f3cbd0b 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ElementProxy.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Array/ElementProxy.hpp
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ class ElementProxy : public VariantOperators<ElementProxy<TArray> >,
     return getOrAddUpstreamElement().template to<T>();
   }
 
-  FORCE_INLINE void link(VariantConstRef value) const {
-    getOrAddUpstreamElement().link(value);
+  FORCE_INLINE void shallowCopy(VariantConstRef value) const {
+    getOrAddUpstreamElement().shallowCopy(value);
   }
 
   // Replaces the value
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Collection/CollectionImpl.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Collection/CollectionImpl.hpp
index 8f963baa..da9835e3 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Collection/CollectionImpl.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Collection/CollectionImpl.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ inline VariantSlot* CollectionData::addSlot(MemoryPool* pool) {
     return 0;
 
   if (_tail) {
+    ARDUINOJSON_ASSERT(pool->owns(_tail));  // Can't alter a linked array/object
     _tail->setNextNotNull(slot);
     _tail = slot;
   } else {
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Document/JsonDocument.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Document/JsonDocument.hpp
index 17f06e30..bcd14716 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Document/JsonDocument.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Document/JsonDocument.hpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class JsonDocument : public VariantOperators<const JsonDocument&> {
   }
 
   size_t size() const {
-    return _data.resolve()->size();
+    return _data.size();
   }
 
   bool set(const JsonDocument& src) {
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Json/JsonSerializer.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Json/JsonSerializer.hpp
index 31bd529e..3b016a63 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Json/JsonSerializer.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Json/JsonSerializer.hpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class JsonSerializer : public Visitor<size_t> {
     const VariantSlot *slot = array.head();
 
     while (slot != 0) {
-      slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+      slot->data()->accept(*this);
 
       slot = slot->next();
       if (slot == 0)
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class JsonSerializer : public Visitor<size_t> {
     while (slot != 0) {
       _formatter.writeString(slot->key());
       write(':');
-      slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+      slot->data()->accept(*this);
 
       slot = slot->next();
       if (slot == 0)
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Json/PrettyJsonSerializer.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Json/PrettyJsonSerializer.hpp
index 3f63b2c5..c80ad940 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Json/PrettyJsonSerializer.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Json/PrettyJsonSerializer.hpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class PrettyJsonSerializer : public JsonSerializer<TWriter> {
       _nesting++;
       while (slot != 0) {
         indent();
-        slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+        slot->data()->accept(*this);
 
         slot = slot->next();
         base::write(slot ? ",\r\n" : "\r\n");
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class PrettyJsonSerializer : public JsonSerializer<TWriter> {
         indent();
         base::visitString(slot->key());
         base::write(": ");
-        slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+        slot->data()->accept(*this);
 
         slot = slot->next();
         base::write(slot ? ",\r\n" : "\r\n");
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/MsgPack/MsgPackSerializer.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/MsgPack/MsgPackSerializer.hpp
index 1abc7cc7..6217d8bb 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/MsgPack/MsgPackSerializer.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/MsgPack/MsgPackSerializer.hpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class MsgPackSerializer : public Visitor<size_t> {
       writeInteger(uint32_t(n));
     }
     for (const VariantSlot* slot = array.head(); slot; slot = slot->next()) {
-      slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+      slot->data()->accept(*this);
     }
     return bytesWritten();
   }
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class MsgPackSerializer : public Visitor<size_t> {
     }
     for (const VariantSlot* slot = object.head(); slot; slot = slot->next()) {
       visitString(slot->key());
-      slot->data()->resolve()->accept(*this);
+      slot->data()->accept(*this);
     }
     return bytesWritten();
   }
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Object/MemberProxy.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Object/MemberProxy.hpp
index 67f49d78..2b246231 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Object/MemberProxy.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Object/MemberProxy.hpp
@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@ class MemberProxy : public VariantOperators<MemberProxy<TObject, TStringRef> >,
     getUpstreamMember().remove(key);
   }
 
-  FORCE_INLINE void link(VariantConstRef value) {
-    getOrAddUpstreamMember().link(value);
+  FORCE_INLINE void shallowCopy(VariantConstRef value) {
+    getOrAddUpstreamMember().shallowCopy(value);
   }
 
   template <typename TValue>
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Object/ObjectRef.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Object/ObjectRef.hpp
index ba862abe..7f383093 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Object/ObjectRef.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Object/ObjectRef.hpp
@@ -269,12 +269,12 @@ struct Converter<ObjectConstRef> {
 
   static ObjectConstRef fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data != 0 ? data->resolve()->asObject() : 0;
+    return data != 0 ? data->asObject() : 0;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isObject();
+    return data && data->isObject();
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/ConverterImpl.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/ConverterImpl.hpp
index a510aa23..9a207fa2 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/ConverterImpl.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/ConverterImpl.hpp
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ struct Converter<
   static T fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     ARDUINOJSON_ASSERT_INTEGER_TYPE_IS_SUPPORTED(T);
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asIntegral<T>() : T();
+    return data ? data->asIntegral<T>() : T();
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isInteger<T>();
+    return data && data->isInteger<T>();
   }
 };
 
@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ struct Converter<T, typename enable_if<is_enum<T>::value>::type> {
 
   static T fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? static_cast<T>(data->resolve()->asIntegral<int>()) : T();
+    return data ? static_cast<T>(data->asIntegral<int>()) : T();
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isInteger<int>();
+    return data && data->isInteger<int>();
   }
 };
 
@@ -84,12 +84,12 @@ struct Converter<bool> {
 
   static bool fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asBoolean() : false;
+    return data ? data->asBoolean() : false;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isBoolean();
+    return data && data->isBoolean();
   }
 };
 
@@ -103,12 +103,12 @@ struct Converter<T, typename enable_if<is_floating_point<T>::value>::type> {
 
   static T fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asFloat<T>() : 0;
+    return data ? data->asFloat<T>() : 0;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isFloat();
+    return data && data->isFloat();
   }
 };
 
@@ -121,12 +121,12 @@ struct Converter<const char*> {
 
   static const char* fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asString().c_str() : 0;
+    return data ? data->asString().c_str() : 0;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isString();
+    return data && data->isString();
   }
 };
 
@@ -139,12 +139,12 @@ struct Converter<String> {
 
   static String fromJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data ? data->resolve()->asString() : 0;
+    return data ? data->asString() : 0;
   }
 
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data && data->resolve()->isString();
+    return data && data->isString();
   }
 };
 
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ struct Converter<decltype(nullptr)> {
   }
   static bool checkJson(VariantConstRef src) {
     const VariantData* data = getData(src);
-    return data == 0 || data->resolve()->isNull();
+    return data == 0 || data->isNull();
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantContent.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantContent.hpp
index 3ede76ef..dbe833e5 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantContent.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantContent.hpp
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ enum {
   VALUE_IS_SIGNED_INTEGER = 0x0A,
   VALUE_IS_FLOAT = 0x0C,
 
-  VALUE_IS_POINTER = 0x10,
-
   COLLECTION_MASK = 0x60,
   VALUE_IS_OBJECT = 0x20,
   VALUE_IS_ARRAY = 0x40,
@@ -51,7 +49,6 @@ union VariantContent {
   UInt asUnsignedInteger;
   Integer asSignedInteger;
   CollectionData asCollection;
-  const class VariantData *asPointer;
   struct {
     const char *data;
     size_t size;
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantData.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantData.hpp
index e99400fd..a2e5d33c 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantData.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantData.hpp
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ class VariantData {
     _flags = VALUE_IS_NULL;
   }
 
+  void operator=(const VariantData &src) {
+    _content = src._content;
+    _flags = uint8_t((_flags & OWNED_KEY_BIT) | (src._flags & ~OWNED_KEY_BIT));
+  }
+
   template <typename TVisitor>
   typename TVisitor::result_type accept(TVisitor &visitor) const {
     switch (type()) {
@@ -83,12 +88,6 @@ class VariantData {
 
   bool asBoolean() const;
 
-  const VariantData *resolve() const {
-    if (isPointer())
-      return _content.asPointer->resolve();
-    return this;
-  }
-
   CollectionData *asArray() {
     return isArray() ? &_content.asCollection : 0;
   }
@@ -123,10 +122,6 @@ class VariantData {
     return (_flags & COLLECTION_MASK) != 0;
   }
 
-  bool isPointer() const {
-    return type() == VALUE_IS_POINTER;
-  }
-
   template <typename T>
   bool isInteger() const {
     switch (type()) {
@@ -222,12 +217,6 @@ class VariantData {
     setType(VALUE_IS_NULL);
   }
 
-  void setPointer(const VariantData *p) {
-    ARDUINOJSON_ASSERT(p);
-    setType(VALUE_IS_POINTER);
-    _content.asPointer = p;
-  }
-
   void setString(String s) {
     ARDUINOJSON_ASSERT(s);
     if (s.isLinked())
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantFunctions.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantFunctions.hpp
index 5962fd87..16e9b403 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantFunctions.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantFunctions.hpp
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ template <typename TVisitor>
 inline typename TVisitor::result_type variantAccept(const VariantData *var,
                                                     TVisitor &visitor) {
   if (var != 0)
-    return var->resolve()->accept(visitor);
+    return var->accept(visitor);
   else
     return visitor.visitNull();
 }
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ inline bool variantSetString(VariantData *var, TAdaptedString value,
 }
 
 inline size_t variantSize(const VariantData *var) {
-  return var != 0 ? var->resolve()->size() : 0;
+  return var != 0 ? var->size() : 0;
 }
 
 inline CollectionData *variantToArray(VariantData *var) {
@@ -90,14 +90,14 @@ NO_INLINE VariantData *variantGetOrAddMember(VariantData *var,
 }
 
 inline bool variantIsNull(const VariantData *var) {
-  return var == 0 || var->resolve()->isNull();
+  return var == 0 || var->isNull();
 }
 
 inline size_t variantNesting(const VariantData *var) {
   if (!var)
     return 0;
 
-  const CollectionData *collection = var->resolve()->asCollection();
+  const CollectionData *collection = var->asCollection();
   if (!collection)
     return 0;
 
diff --git a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantRef.hpp b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantRef.hpp
index 10863400..47684e39 100644
--- a/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantRef.hpp
+++ b/src/ArduinoJson/Variant/VariantRef.hpp
@@ -117,8 +117,7 @@ class VariantConstRef : public VariantRefBase<const VariantData>,
   }
 
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef getElementConst(size_t index) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data != 0 ? _data->resolve()->getElement(index)
-                                      : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data != 0 ? _data->getElement(index) : 0);
   }
 
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef operator[](size_t index) const {
@@ -129,8 +128,7 @@ class VariantConstRef : public VariantRefBase<const VariantData>,
   // getMemberConst(const String&) const
   template <typename TString>
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef getMemberConst(const TString &key) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->resolve()->getMember(adaptString(key))
-                                 : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->getMember(adaptString(key)) : 0);
   }
 
   // getMemberConst(char*) const
@@ -138,8 +136,7 @@ class VariantConstRef : public VariantRefBase<const VariantData>,
   // getMemberConst(const __FlashStringHelper*) const
   template <typename TChar>
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef getMemberConst(TChar *key) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->resolve()->getMember(adaptString(key))
-                                 : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->getMember(adaptString(key)) : 0);
   }
 
   // operator[](const std::string&) const
@@ -281,8 +278,7 @@ class VariantRef : public VariantRefBase<VariantData>,
   }
 
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef getElementConst(size_t index) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data != 0 ? _data->resolve()->getElement(index)
-                                      : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data != 0 ? _data->getElement(index) : 0);
   }
 
   FORCE_INLINE VariantRef getOrAddElement(size_t index) const {
@@ -310,8 +306,7 @@ class VariantRef : public VariantRefBase<VariantData>,
   // getMemberConst(const __FlashStringHelper*) const
   template <typename TChar>
   FORCE_INLINE VariantConstRef getMemberConst(TChar *key) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->resolve()->getMember(adaptString(key))
-                                 : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->getMember(adaptString(key)) : 0);
   }
 
   // getMemberConst(const std::string&) const
@@ -320,8 +315,7 @@ class VariantRef : public VariantRefBase<VariantData>,
   FORCE_INLINE
       typename enable_if<IsString<TString>::value, VariantConstRef>::type
       getMemberConst(const TString &key) const {
-    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->resolve()->getMember(adaptString(key))
-                                 : 0);
+    return VariantConstRef(_data ? _data->getMember(adaptString(key)) : 0);
   }
 
   // getOrAddMember(char*) const
@@ -361,12 +355,12 @@ class VariantRef : public VariantRefBase<VariantData>,
       _data->remove(adaptString(key));
   }
 
-  inline void link(VariantConstRef target) {
+  inline void shallowCopy(VariantConstRef target) {
     if (!_data)
       return;
     const VariantData *targetData = getData(target);
     if (targetData)
-      _data->setPointer(targetData);
+      *_data = *targetData;
     else
       _data->setNull();
   }