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Consumer confidence in the digital environment

The European Parliament is discussing a report on Consumer Confidence in the Digital Environment presented by Rapporteur, Zuzana Roithova (EPP-ED - Czech Republic) on 21 March 2007. Her report focuses on eleven horizontal problems and four specific areas. It emphasizes that numerous logistical measures needed to be taken in order to ensure consumer confidence on the Internet. Some of them include: a revision of the acquis in order to update rules on consumer protection; the establishment of educational programmes on consumer rights; funds provided for consumer information organizations; EU consumer centres made more available; auto-regulation undertaken to prevent piracy; wider support of new and existing dispute settlement bodies; prevention of cyber-criminality and phishing, etc. It is important for publishers to make sure that the discussion stays within the consumer law field and does not shift to copyright because there is a tendency from some consumer associations to do so. In our view, consumer confidence should be fostered because it is essential for an online business model to develop fully. However, copyright allows the take up of business model providing for the necessary remuneration for the right holders. It is therefore absolutely essential to maintain the debate in the right path. The report should be adopted around June 2007.

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