A UK internet trade group has successfully lobbied the government to make final changes to new e-commerce regulations before they become UK law at the end of August.
The British Internet Service Providers Association has worked since March to clarify a number of ambiguities in the draft regulations of the EU e-commerce directive, which will come into force in the UK on August 21, missing the EUﾒs deadline by more than seven months.
The Association claimed the initial wording of some sections, such as the country of origin principle was particularly ambiguous, implying that UK internet service providers would have to comply with the rules of all EU member states, contrary to the EU Directiveﾒs original intention.
A reworded paragraph clarifies that only UK law applies to internet service providers based in the UK.
The government has also reworded the criminal liability section of the law, which outlines that internet service providers cannot be held liable for damages caused to others partiesﾒ material. The Association claimed the draft regulations were not clear enough and said the liability provisions did not offer sufficient protection for service providers that host or cache content for which they have no responsibility.
The e-commerce directive was due to be implemented by EU member states by January 17 2002, but only three member states met the deadline.
To view the final regulations, click on:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022013.htm
