EU: Consultation on
the E-Commerce-Directive
In the context of the
application of the E-Commerce Directive of 2000, which harmonised
rules on issues such as the transparency and information
requirements for online service providers, commercial communications,
electronic contracts and limitations of liability of intermediary
service providers, the EU Commission
commissioned two studies
respectively on its economic impact and on the
application of the provisions on the liability of internet
intermediaries. They were completed in 2007, but published just
recently, probably due to "internal differences". There are 25
reports highlighting how the different member states deal with the
liability of internet intermediaries.
On August 10, 2010 the
Commission
launched a consultation on the
E-Commerce Directive. Issues covered in the consultation include:
commercial communications of regulated professions such as
pharmacists and lawyers; the development of the online press, the
issue of the liability of internet intermediaries, administrative
cooperation, on-line dispute resolution, etc. The result of this
work will be taken into account in the Commission’s deliberations
with a view to the adoption in the first half of 2011 of a
Communication on electronic commerce. This might be the first step
towards a revision of the E-Commerce Directive, especially its rules
on liability!