diff --git a/include/data.h b/include/data.h
index 772d35f..0029c53 100644
--- a/include/data.h
+++ b/include/data.h
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class Data
     /**
      *  All managed values that should be cleaned up upon destruction
      */
-    std::list<std::unique_ptr<Value>> _managed_values;
+    std::list<std::shared_ptr<Value>> _managed_values;
 
     /**
      *  All modifiers
@@ -52,9 +52,14 @@ class Data
     Data(const Variant::Value &value);
 
     /**
-     *  Deleted copy constructor
+     *  Copy constructor
      */
-    Data(const Data &that) = delete;
+    Data(const Data &that)
+    : _variables(that._variables),
+      _managed_values(that._managed_values),
+      _modifiers(that._modifiers)
+    {
+    }
 
     /**
      *  Move constructor
@@ -90,6 +95,7 @@ class Data
      *  @return Data        Same object for chaining
      */
     Data &assignManaged(const std::string &name, Value *value);
+    Data &assignManaged(const std::string &name, std::shared_ptr<Value> &value);
 
     /**
      *  Assign a callback
diff --git a/src/data.cpp b/src/data.cpp
index 4258602..534dc35 100644
--- a/src/data.cpp
+++ b/src/data.cpp
@@ -148,6 +148,9 @@ Data &Data::assignValue(const std::string &name, Value *value)
  */
 Data &Data::assignManaged(const std::string &name, Value *value)
 {
+    // assigning nullptr's doesn't make sense..
+    if (!value) return *this;
+
     // append variable
     _variables[name] = value;
 
@@ -158,6 +161,27 @@ Data &Data::assignManaged(const std::string &name, Value *value)
     return *this;
 }
 
+/**
+ *  Assign data that is managed by a unique pointer and keep managing it
+ *  @param  name        Name of the variable
+ *  @param  value       A unique pointer to a VariantValue
+ *  @return Data        Same object for chaining
+ */
+Data &Data::assignManaged(const std::string &name, std::shared_ptr<Value> &value)
+{
+    // assigning empty shared pointer doesn't make sense
+    if (!value) return *this;
+
+    // append variable
+    _variables[name] = value.get();
+
+    // make it managed
+    _managed_values.emplace_back(value);
+
+    // allow chaining
+    return *this;
+}
+
 /**
  *  Assign a callback
  *  @param  name        Name of the variable