Legal Definitions - Directive on Certain Aspects of Electronic Commerce in the Internal Market

The Directive on Certain Aspects of Electronic Commerce in the Internal Market, also known as the Electronic Commerce Directive or E-Commerce Directive, is a law created by the European Commission in 2000. Its purpose is to make sure that all European Union member countries have consistent laws for using the internet for commercial purposes.

The Directive covers a range of topics related to electronic commerce, including:

• Electronic contracts
• The liability of service providers
• Unsolicited commercial e-mail

For example, the Directive sets rules for how electronic contracts are formed and enforced. It also clarifies the responsibilities of service providers, such as internet service providers and online marketplaces, for content that is posted on their platforms. Additionally, the Directive prohibits the sending of unsolicited commercial e-mails, also known as spam.

Overall, the Directive on Certain Aspects of Electronic Commerce in the Internal Market helps to ensure that businesses can operate online in a fair and consistent manner across the European Union.