Public consultation of the E-Commerce Directive

Yesterday the European Commission invited all interested parties to provide feedback through a online public consultation on the European Directive that regulates internet services. 

The Commission particularly questions why electronic commerce, ten years after the so called E-Commerce Directive went into force, forms just two percent of all trading within the European internet market. The directive was intended to improve trade across borders, access to European products, quality products and price competition.

The Commission asks parties to include feedback on the interpretation of the Safe Harbour provisions that focus on internet intermediaries’ liability, Article 12 to 15 of the Directive. Particularly these provisions are frequently subject of heated legal procedures, such as to which extent hosting and access providers can be held liable for copyright infringements by users and to which extent they are bound to take measures to fight infringements from taking place in the future.

<o:p></o:p>The deadline for the public consultation is October 15, 2010.<o:p></o:p>

Source: Telecom News