Saccharide polymers with side groups and their use

A water soluble or water-dispersible copolymer containing polymerized units a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a saccharide side group and b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer hydrophilic other than (meth) acrylamide, wherein the ratio weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers with a saccharide side group is 5 to 95% by weight, and wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a saccharide side group corresponds to one of formulas (Ia), (Ib) or (Ic) .**Formula**