The invention relates to hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylic copolymers having an OH value from 40 to 260 mg KOH/g, a number average molecular mass (Mn) from 1500 to 20000 g/mole and a glass transition temperature Tg from -40 °C to 80 °C, containing A) polymerized monomers of at least one epoxy-functional, olefinically unsaturated monomer, B) at least one compound having a carboxyl group and at least one hydroxyl group in the molecule that is reacted with the epoxy functional group of the polymerized olefincially unsaturated monomers, C) at least one additional polymerized olefinically unsaturated monomer capable of radical polymerization which is different from component A) and D) optionally at least one lactone reacted with the polymer. It also relates to processes for making the copolymers and to coating compositions that contain the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylic copolymers and to the use thereof in multi-layer automotive coatings.