Europe - Content and E-services - Regulatory Overview

Synopsis

While much of the European regulatory framework for digital content and e-services is contained in the eEurope policy, a number of other legal issues deserve their own attention. Issues like the E-commerce Directive, security, e-money and others, are addressed in this report. These are over-arching regulatory regimes applying to the diverse range of services delivered electronically. More information about eEurope is in its separate report, which covers e-government, e-health and e-learning progress in Europe. E-commerce and e-services are covered in separate reports. The EC is making uniform regulation on electronic communications and services a key step in its drive towards uniformity across Europe. The EC’s strong moves to drive security and regulate content on communications network within the Union is exemplified by the creating of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), slated to become active from May 2004.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. E-commerce Directive
• 3. Jurisdiction
• 4. Security
  • 4.1.1 European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)
  • 4.2 IDC research and forecasts
  • 4.3 Piracy
  • 4.4 Electronic signatures
  • 4.5 Data protection and privacy
    • 4.5.1 The e-Privacy Directive
  • 4.6 Non-EU states and safe harbour
  • 4.7 Concerns remain
• 5. E-money Directive
  • 5.1 E-payment systems
  • 5.2 eEurope Smart Cards
  • 5.3 Eurosmart research and forecasts
• 6. Taxation
• 7. Domain name .eu
• 8. Spam
• 9. e-Minder
• 10. Public libraries
• 11. Related reports

• Table 1 – Smart card shipments per sector by card type – 2003 (Million units)
• Table 2 – Forecast smart card shipments per sector by card type – 2004 (Million units)