Category: electronic commerce
Tougher rules will target illegal ads and fake influencer scams, says Government – The Independent
‘Tougher new rules are set to clamp down on illegal and age-restricted adverts and fake celebrity scams, the Government has said.’
The Independent, 25th July 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Law Commission recommendations to allow for electronic trade documents implemented in Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 – Law Commission
‘On Thursday 20 July, the Law Commission’s recommendations on electronic trade documents became law as the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 secured royal assent.’
Law Commission, 20th July 2023
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Sports bodies have options for tackling illegal streaming, say experts – OUT-LAW.com
‘Sports bodies and owners of broadcast rights for sports events should invest in monitoring for illegal streaming and consider the options they have for enforcing their rights against infringers in the context of their commercial objectives, according to experts in dispute resolution and brand protection in the sports sector.’
OUT-LAW.com, 2nd June 2023
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill: UK tech sector competition rules – OUT-LAW.com
‘Large technology companies will face added regulatory and compliance issues in the UK once new legislation aimed at promoting competition in digital markets is enacted and implemented.’
OUT-LAW.com, 30th May 2023
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Regulating Big Tech in the UK – Competition Bulletin
‘Following hot(ish) on the heels of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (“the Bill”) was published on 25 April 2023. It seeks to do three things: (1) to establish a new ex-ante regulatory regime for digital markets, conferring powers on the CMA, via its Digital Markets Unit, to impose conduct requirements and make “pro-competitive interventions” (“PCIs”) in relation to designated firms, and to impose hefty penalties for failure to comply; (2) to reform the existing competition law system, notably relating to merger controls, market inquiries and enforcement; and (3) to enhance consumer rights and enforcement. This post focusses on the first of these.’
Competition Bulletin, 17th May 2023
Source: competitionbulletin.com
A ‘watershed moment’ for the digital sector – the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill – Mills & Reeve
‘This briefing is part of a series that will take a closer look at the government’s draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the “Bill”) which was introduced into Parliament on 25 April 2023. This is an important and far-reaching Bill which will see wide ranging reforms to competition and consumer protection laws.’
Mills & Reeve, 10th May 2023
Source: www.mills-reeve.com
New rules ban subscription traps and fake reviews – BBC News
‘Buying, selling or hosting fake reviews will become illegal as part of changes planned in new laws.’
BBC News, 25th April 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Law Commission to review how private international law applies to digital assets and other emerging technology – Law Commission
‘The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a Government-commissioned review that aims to provide clarity on how private international law rules can apply to emerging technology, such as digital assets and electronic trade documents.’
Law Commission, 18th October 2022
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Online platforms face likely Digital Services Act disclosure deadline of February 2023 OUT-LAW.com
‘Online platform providers are set to face new legal duties to disclose details on user engagement with their services in the EU, with an initial deadline to report such information by the middle of February next year likely to apply, according to analysis undertaken by Out-Law.’
OUT-LAW.com, 15th September 2022
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
UK product safety laws won’t prevent another Grenfell tragedy, report warns – The Guardian
‘The UK’s product safety regime is not up to the job of preventing a tragedy such as the Grenfell Tower fire as shopping moves online and regulators take on new responsibilities following Brexit, MPs have warned.’
The Guardian, 30th September 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Regulating content on user-to user and search service providers – UK Human Rights Blog
‘The dust has settled since the government released its draft Online Safety Bill. Now is therefore a good time to evaluate its aims, methods, and potential impacts, which we will do so in this two-part post. The first post will have a look at the overall architecture of the bill, discussing what it is trying to do and how it is trying to do it. The second post will survey responses to the bill from academics and civil society campaigners, discussing whether the bill does too much or not enough.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 2nd August 2021
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
Writing fake online reviews could be made illegal – BBC News
‘A plan to crack down on online rip-offs including making it illegal for people to write or host fake reviews has been outlined by the government.’
BBC News, 19th July 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Proposals to allow electronic documents would revolutionise trade – Law Commission
‘The Law Commission has announced a consultation on proposals to allow for the legal recognition of electronic versions of documents such as bills of lading and bills of exchange. If implemented, the reforms could revolutionise global trade and bring the processes into the 21st Century. We are also considering reform of the legal treatment of cryptoassets and digital assets and today published a call for evidence as part of that process (see below).’
Law Commission, 30th April 2021
Source: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/proposals-to-allow-electronic-documents-would-revolutionise-trade/
Councils may have suffered because of ‘pre-paid cards’ cartel, according to provisional findings of regulator – Local Government Lawyer
‘Local authorities may have missed out on an alternative supplier of pre-paid cards or products that were either cheaper or better suited to both their needs and the needs of those using such cards, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has said after provisionally finding that five companies engaged in cartel behaviour.’
Local Government Lawyer, 6th April 2021
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
A Campaign To Include Mx Title On All Forms Is Gaining Momentum. Here’s Why It’s Important – Each Other
‘Include Mx, which was launched in November 2020, is a micro campaign that approaches businesses and organisations to ask them to include Mx as an option on forms. Mx is a gender neutral honorific that was first coined and used in the 1970s. It’s used by those who do not identify as a particular gender, as well as those who do not want to reveal their gender.’
Each Other, 1st March 2021
Source: eachother.org.uk
Watchdog launches probe into fake and misleading online product reviews – Daily Telegraph
‘A consumer watchdog has launched a probe into the sale of fake product reviews which it fears could mislead shoppers.’
Daily Telegraph, 22nd May 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Cryptocurrency is Property: AA v Persons Unknown – The 36 Group
‘In a significant recent decision, the High Court has acknowledged the finding of the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (“UKJT”) in its Legal Statement on Cryptoassets and Smart Contracts that cryptocurrency is property.’
The 36 Group, 11th February 2020
Source: 36group.co.uk
Disposals of cryptoassets, tax & the UKJT Legal Statement – Society for Computers and Law
‘Leigh Sagar looks at the mechanics and tax implications of cryptoasset disposals in the light of the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce Legal Statement on cryptoassets and smart contracts.’
Society for Computers and Law, 29th January 2020
Source: www.scl.org
