Online sales of goods and services are subject to statutory consumer rights in most countries: for instance, the right change to your mind within a set timeframe – the so-called “cooling-off period” – and guarantees against faulty products. Online stores selling to many countries must implement customer policies to meet the requirements of multiple laws – not an easy task. We can help them to do this properly.

Digital businesses often process large quantities of personal data. Many countries have enacted laws regulating the use of personal data and the privacy rights of users, requiring in particular all sites to process personal data lawfully and to publish their own privacy and cookie policy. The most famous set of rules is the European GDPR. We support businesses in complying with data protection rules globally.

Managing a social media profile (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) for business, marketing or communication purposes has its legal implications. For instance: the unlawful publication of pictures may lead to civil or even criminal liabilities. We advise digital businesses on the legal side of social media management, blogging/vlogging and other related activities.

Businesses should protect their own intellectual property. The global circulation of digital content makes brands, trademarks, patents and software particularly vulnerable to illicit reproduction, plagiarism and piracy. So, the terms of use of websites, software and applications should clearly delineate what users can do and what they cannot do. We support digital businesses in protecting their intellectual property rights internationally. 

International e-commerce requires traders to comply with domestic and international competition laws that are becoming more and more rigorous. Recently, new EU rules forbid some commercial practices preventing users from buying products online from other countries (“geo-blocking”). We advise businesses internationally to implement law-abiding commercial practices.

International trade is often subject to tight domestic and international laws concerning health safety (e.g., healthcare or cosmetic products), environment protection (e.g., CITES) or and other regulatory frameworks (e.g., alcohol products). We advise export-oriented businesses to develop logistical procedures that meet cross-border trade regulations.

The role of mediation in resolving disputes that arise out of business to consumer online transactions has grown significantly in the last years. New EU rules even require marketplaces and other online intermediaries to name two mediators that the platform is willing to engage in a dispute. We are able to support digital businesses in resolving consumer disputes with the help of our partnering lawyers, mediators and advisors.