Producers and Consumers in EU E-Commerce Law argues that the European Union is failing adequately to protect consumers' critical interests in the area of e-commerce. The book compares the Union's close protection of producers' critical interests in e-commerce, considered in terms of authorship and of 'domain-identity', with its faltering steps towards protection of consumers' corresponding interests, considered in terms of fair trading, privacy and (on behalf of children) morality. The book assesses the threats posed to those interests, the extent to which self-help can and does neutralise those threats and, as regards any gaps left, the extent to which the Union has stepped into the breach. The argument is important given that surveys show low levels of consumer confidence in European cross-border e-commerce, a motor of integration par excellence.

Argues that the European Union is failing adequately to protect consumers' critical interests in the area of e-commerce.

This book looks at two technological advancements in the area of e-commerce, which dramatically seem to change the way consumers shop online. In particular, they automate certain crucial tasks inherent in the ‘shopping’ activity, thereby relieving consumers of having to perform them. These are shopping agents (or comparison tools) and automated marketplaces. It scrutinizes their underlying processes and the way they serve the consumer, thereby highlighting risks and issues associated with their use. The ultimate aim is to ascertain whether the current EU regulatory framework relating to consumer protection, e-commerce, data protection and security adequately addresses the relevant risks and issues, thus affording a ‘safe’ shopping environment to the e-consumer.

Significantly revised and expanded, this important book addresses the key pieces of EU legislation in the field of e-commerce, including on consumer rights, copyright, electronic identification, open internet access, electronic payments, competition law and digital content.

This book provides a critical analysis of how digitisation affects established concepts and policies in consumer law. Based on evidence of the actual experience and problems encountered by consumers in digital markets, the book offers a ground-breaking study of the main issues arising in relation to the application of general consumer and sector-specific law. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Centre for the Study of European Contract Law (CSECL) and the Institute for Information Law (IViR), both University of Amsterdam, combine their expertise in general consumer and contract law, telecommunications law, media law, copyright law and privacy law in a joint effort to point the way to a truly cohesive European Framework for Digital Consumers and the Law. Topics in this book include the characteristics of digital content markets and how they relate to traditional consumer law; consumer concerns, reasonable expectations and how they are protected by law; the difficult question of the classification of digital content; legal questions triggered by prosumers and underage consumers; the feasibility and future of the information approach to consumer protection; the role of fundamental rights considerations, and the legal implications of an economy that uses personal data as the new currency. Digital Consumers and the Law is an important analysis for all those interested or involved in the regulation of digital content markets. With its comprehensive discussion of a wide range of fundamental as well as praxis-oriented questions, it is an essential read for academics, policy makers, members of the content industry as well as consumer representatives.

This first book of its kind examines the framework regulating online sales, protection of personal data and intellectual property, use of e-money, e-marketing, and Internet security as they currently exist in China’s “market space”. The book’s very useful information includes such items as the following: detailed comparisons with European e-commerce regulation; business models for operating a website in China; Chinese rules on online purchase contracts, privacy, and data security; downloading and distributing software and other material; protection against copyright infringements and computer fraud; issues of jurisdiction and governing law; advertising and “spam”; use of “cookies” in online marketing; taxation of e-commerce; existing gateways for online payment; effect of the expansion of the so-called social forums; understanding Chinese online consumers and their behavior; importance of Chinese culture and heritage when applying copyright on the Internet; and progress towards a freer and more secure cyberspace in China. An appendix presents English texts of essential Chinese legislation affecting e-commerce. As a full-fledged definition of this new channel of distribution, its boundaries and functioning, with a particular focus on China, this book is an indispensable source of guidance and reference for counsel representing global marketers at any level of business. Its importance for scholars and researchers in the critical field of data security goes without saying. However, this book is also a guide for all the enterprises wishing to do business in the online dimension in China, and for all the consumers shopping online, wishing to know what their rights are when buying products or services on the Internet, and to know how to protect themselves if something goes wrong.

For almost three decades, the European Union (EU) has adopted measures to regulate consumer transactions within the internal market created by the EU Treaties. Existing legislation is largely based on directives harmonizing aspects of national consumer laws. This Brief argues that a more appropriate approach for EU consumer law would be legislation in the form of a regulation which is applicable to cross-border transactions only. The author considers the constitutional constraints of the EU Treaties, before examining the case for a cross-border-only measure. He argues that the cross-border approach is preferable, because it would provide clearer benefits for consumers seeking to buy goods and services across borders, while not upsetting domestic law unnecessarily—in particular in the context of e-commerce, with implications for industry, policymaking, and regional development. The Brief concludes by suggesting that a successful EU measure on cross-border consumer transactions could create a template for global initiatives for transnational consumer law.

This unique text deals with the most important legal areas for e-commerce related business in most of the member states in Europe as well as the USA. Topics that are dealt with include: contract law, consumer protection, intellectual property law, unfair competition, antitrust law, liability of providers, money transactions, privacy and data protection.

The year 2000 was when the European Union issued its E-commerce Directive. This directive regulates and facilitates e-commerce in the internal market by laying down a clear and general legal framework favorable for business organizations as well as protecting the interests of consumers. This book analyzes the consequences of the legal framework for business organizations involved with e-commerce in Europe.

Suggesting that the enhancement of e-commerce is one of the important policy issues in the European Union, this book argues that the laws of the EU Member States should be further harmonised. The European Union has adopted a number of Directives relating to different aspects of e-commerce which should be implemented in the laws of the Member States.