E-Commerce Law & Policy

Volume: 12 Issue: 3
(March 2010)

News

Around 200 million European users of Internet Explorer, Microsoft's web browser, will be offered the choice to switch web operator. As part of a deal with the European Commission, Microsoft announced on 2 March that its Windows users will be asked if they would like to change their default web browser. / read more

The UK Government released guidance, at the end of February, regarding the interpretation of certain parts of the Digital Economy Bill (DEB), most notably on the legal status - internet service provider (ISPs) or subscriber - of public 'wi-fi providers' such as universities or libraries. / read more

EU mobile operators had until 1 March to offer their customers the possibility to cap the roaming charges they are willing to pay, to prevent expensive bills being run up abroad, under the EU Commission's Roaming Regulation 544/2009, issued in June 2009. Mobile phone users are now able to introduce a cut-off point for roaming charges abroad - operators and users have to agree upon a 'personalised' limit by July 2010. If no agreement is reached, the limit is set at a standard of €50. / read more

Features

While Australia and Indonesia are introducing web filters to fight pornography and other blacklisted content, China is opting for a more personal approach. The PRC is tightening internet use by introducing new requirements to set up a website. / read more

Controversial passage of Digital Economy Bill continues
EU Commissioner backs European Contract Law to promote Single Market
Advertising Standards Agency warns about differences in brochure and online prices
Dates for your diary / read more

With an online community of over 380 million users, China has become the biggest internet market in the world. Wei Zhang, Partner at Jun He Law Offices, discusses how the People's Republic of China administers, regulates and controls the use of the internet in the daily life of its citizens. / read more

Until very recently, there has been no case law in the UK dealing with claims made against a peer-to-peer website itself. Alexander Watt, Associate at Arnold & Porter, examines the recent 'Oink' decision in relation to similar US and Australian cases, and discusses the shockwaves the outcome sent through the industry. / read more

In redefining exemptions to vertical restraints, the EU Commission has attempted, at the same time, to promote the interests of online retailers and traditional 'brick-and-mortar' sellers. However, because the two business models at stake are fundamentally different, the move has caused intense controversy, notably in terms of its 'bias' towards traditional businesses. Simon Neill, Partner at Osborne Clarke, examines the controversial content of the vertical agreements block exemptions. / read more

The development of internet access in Turkey has brought along the traditional problems - faced by many countries around the world - of the extent of the content that can legally be viewed by its citizens. Riza Ferhan Cagirgan, Partner at Gur Law, reviews the laws that regulate access to and restrictions on the internet. / read more

Following complaints from the Metropolitan Police in the UK, Nominet decided to disconnect more than 1,200 websites. This move was highly criticised by many in the industry as being in breach of the administrative powers assigned to Nominet. Simon Bennett, a Partner at Fox Williams LLP, discusses how Nominet works and examines the actions it has undertaken so far. / read more

For several months now, France has been in the midst of a major debate concerning the feasibility - and efficiency - of the 'Hadopi Laws', new measures created to tackle illegal downloading. Sandrine Rambaud, an Associate at Bird & Bird in Paris, discusses how the 'graduated response' model introduced by these Laws operates and how it has become the subject of intense criticism. / read more

Misrepresentation: BSkyB Limited v HP Enterprise Services UK Limited (formerly Electronic Data Systems Limited)
Defamation: Lonzim PLC, David Lenigas and Geoffrey White v Andrew Sprague
Domain names: Corporación Habanos S.A. v Tobias Pischetsrieder / read more

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About E-Commerce Law & Policy:

The monthly law journal giving authoratitive insights into all aspects of e-commerce law and regulations affecting online business, including domain names, Intellectual property, copyrights, online advertising, behavourial advertising, cloud computing, net neutrality, privacy, cybercrime, social media, trademarks, online sales, licensing and software / read more