Abstract: An aqueous adhesive dispersion containing, based on the total weight of the dispersion, 40 to 65% by weight of a copolymer formed by radical copolymerization of ethylene, acrylic esters having alkyl groups of 4 to 12 carbon atoms, vinyl acetate, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, ethylenically unsaturated hydroxyalkyl functional compounds, (meth-)-acrylamide and, optionally, other mono- or poly-ethylenically unsaturated compounds, using emulsion polymerization and having a glass-transition temperature of from -20.degree. to -60.degree. C. and a K value of from 50 to 180 characterized in that the copolymer was produced from:(a) 5 to 25% by weight of ethylene,(b) 95 to 75% by weight of comonomer mixture comprising(b1) 40 to 64% by weight of acrylic ester(s),(b2) 33 to 55% by weight of vinyl acetate,(b3) 1 to 5% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids,(b4) 1 to 8% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated hydroxyalkyl functional compounds,(b5) 0.05 to 0.